Trinamool mulls over reviving Kolkata trams

In one of the first moves of the new Trinamool Congress-run government in Bengal, plans are afoot to bring back Kolkata’s heritage carrier, the tram, to its past glory. 

Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who has spent years as leader of the party-led employees’ union at the Calcutta Tram Company (CTC), plans to not just re-introduce the “green” vehicle to parts of Kolkata, but also to extend services to newer areas. 

Chattopadhyay, who flagged off five new trams on Friday, said: “The tram is an eco-friendly transport and extremely relevant at a time when concerns over air pollution are at an all-time high. It is also people friendly. Both children and elders love taking a ride on them.” Although not the transport minister, Chattopadhyay plans to extend the limits of his duties with him, now holding the portfolio of power & non-conventional energy sources.

While Chattopadhyay was the first Trinamool leader to win an MLA seat after the party was formed in 1998, he has found place in the Cabinet in Mamata Banerjee’s second term as the chief minister.