Kolkata Tram Revival Plan Enters Survey Stage as Joka-Esplanade Metro Achieves Major Tunnel Milestone
Kolkata’s public transport network is witnessing movement on two important fronts, with the city’s historic tram system moving towards revival while the metro network continues to expand across key parts of the city.
The Kolkata tram revival plan has now entered the survey stage, with RITES beginning an assessment of potential routes that could support tram operations. The study is expected to examine road conditions, traffic patterns and the feasibility of running trams across several parts of the Kolkata metropolitan region.
RITES to Survey Tram Routes Across Kolkata, Salt Lake, New Town and Rajarhat
RITES has been tasked with surveying potential tram routes across Kolkata, Salt Lake, New Town and Rajarhat. The objective is to identify roads where tram services could be reintroduced or expanded while ensuring that operations remain practical alongside existing road traffic.
A Kalighat-Dakshineswar tram route is also being considered as part of the revival plan. If found feasible, the route could create a north-south tram connection covering several important areas of Kolkata.
RITES has been given two months to submit its report. The findings are expected to play an important role in determining the future network, routes and operational requirements for Kolkata’s tram system.
New Trams May Be Required
One of the major challenges facing the revival of Kolkata’s tram network is the availability of spare parts for older tram cars. As many components are becoming increasingly difficult to source, the revival plan could require the introduction of new rolling stock.
This could potentially give Kolkata an opportunity to modernise its tram system while retaining the heritage and character associated with the city's iconic electric trams.
A modern tram network could also complement Kolkata’s existing public transport infrastructure by providing an additional sustainable mobility option on suitable urban corridors.
Joka-Esplanade Metro Project Reaches Another Milestone
At the same time, Kolkata’s metro expansion has achieved another significant milestone on the Joka-Esplanade corridor.
TBM ‘Divya’ has completed the second tunnel near Victoria Memorial, following the breakthrough of TBM ‘Durga’ in July. The twin tunnelling work represents an important step towards completing the underground section of the corridor.
The Joka-Esplanade Metro is expected to provide a crucial east-west connectivity link across parts of South Kolkata, West Kolkata and Central Kolkata.
Metro Connectivity to Improve Access to Central Kolkata
Once operational, the Joka-Esplanade Metro corridor is expected to significantly improve public transport connectivity between southern parts of Kolkata and the central business and administrative areas.
The project will also provide better integration with Kolkata’s wider metro network, potentially making daily commuting easier for thousands of passengers.
The completion target for the Joka-Esplanade Metro project is currently set for 2029.
Kolkata’s Public Transport Network Is Expanding and Evolving
The simultaneous progress on tram revival and metro expansion highlights the changing nature of Kolkata’s public transport system.
While the metro network is being expanded through large-scale infrastructure projects and underground tunnelling, efforts are also underway to explore how Kolkata’s historic tram system can be brought back into wider use.
If the RITES survey identifies viable corridors and the proposed routes receive approval, Kolkata could see a renewed tram network operating alongside an expanding metro system.
For a city with one of India’s oldest urban transport systems, the combination of modern metro infrastructure and a revived tram network could create a distinctive model of public transport that connects Kolkata’s heritage with its future mobility needs.