The End of an Era: Kolkata’s 150-Year-Old Trams to Discontinue—A Missed Opportunity for Balanced Modernisation
Recently, the West Bengal government announced the discontinuation of Kolkata’s iconic tram system, keeping only a small heritage stretch from Maidan to Esplanade. Citing concerns over the trams’ slow pace and the inconvenience they pose to modern traffic, the decision marks the end of a chapter in the city's 150-year-old transportation history.
However, this move raises an important question: Is eliminating the heritage of a city in the name of modernization the right path forward?
Kolkata’s tram system is more than just a mode of transport. It’s a living testament to the city’s historical significance, cultural identity, and the spirit of progress in an earlier time. While modernization is crucial, we must remember that true modernization doesn’t necessarily mean replacing the old with the new. Instead, it lies in the ability to advance while preserving what’s valuable from the past. A city’s heritage is its identity, and integrating it with modern infrastructure is the hallmark of thoughtful urban development.
Rather than discontinuing Kolkata’s trams, a visionary approach could have been to modernize and adapt them for today’s era. India is home to some of the most talented engineers in the world, known for their expertise in cutting-edge fields like transportation, urban planning, and technology. With this talent pool, it is entirely feasible to imagine a scenario where the tram system could have been modernized—improving efficiency while retaining the heritage element.
Several global cities have achieved this balance. Cities like Lisbon and San Francisco have found ways to maintain their heritage tram systems while integrating them into modern urban transport networks. Why couldn’t Kolkata have taken a similar approach? Such a move would not only have honored the city’s history but also served as a symbol of how tradition and progress can co-exist.
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As a country recognized globally for its strides in science and technology, India is setting examples in various fields. From launching ambitious space missions to building high-speed transportation systems, we’ve shown the world that we can innovate with the best. However, the decision to phase out Kolkata’s trams reflects a reluctance to take on complex challenges. Rather than seeing this as an opportunity to innovate and preserve history, policymakers have chosen the simpler path of elimination.
This decision sends a concerning message to future generations—that the easy way out is preferable to thoughtful, forward-looking decisions. It perpetuates the notion that when faced with a problem, removing it is more desirable than rethinking and reinventing it.
Kolkata’s trams represent more than just a means of transport; they are a piece of living history. They connect generations and tell a story of the city’s journey through time. Removing them without making any meaningful efforts to modernize or adapt them is a loss not only to the city but to the idea of progress that embraces heritage.
Cities are not just about infrastructure—they are about culture, identity, and history. It’s important that we remind ourselves that modernization is not about abandoning the past but about carrying it with us into the future. By phasing out the trams, we risk losing a piece of Kolkata’s soul, its unique charm, and the stories that have shaped the city over the last century and a half.
As India continues to make strides on the global stage, our approach to urban development should be similarly forward-thinking. True progress isn’t about taking the easy way out, but about finding ways to integrate the old with the new, to honor heritage while moving forward.
The discontinuation of Kolkata’s trams could have been an opportunity to showcase India’s ability to innovate while preserving history. Instead, it reflects a missed chance to strike a balance between heritage and modernization. Hopefully, this decision sparks a larger conversation about how we approach heritage in our rapidly evolving cities. After all, the legacy we leave behind should inspire the next generation to build thoughtfully, rather than just efficiently.