Kolkata Marks 153 Years of Tram Service Amid Network Shrinkage and Restoration Calls

To mark 153 years of tram service in Kolkata, a specially decorated World War II-era tramcar named 'Geetanjali' completed a heritage run from Gariahat to Shyambazar. The tram network, Asia's oldest, has shrunk from 37 lines in the 1960s to just two routes today. Tram enthusiasts and the Calcutta Tram Users Association advocate for network restoration, citing environmental benefits, while officials cite traffic congestion and financial losses. The state government plans to maintain only one route, amid calls for preserving this heritage transport.