Trams to make comeback in Kolkata in big way using foreign technology: Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh

Trams are all set to make a grand comeback to Kolkata’s streets soon, on a grand scale, using all the latest technology available from foreign countries, West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh promised in an exclusive conversation with The Statesman on Monday.

In an attack at the previous government for ruining tram infrastructure during its 15-year tenure, Singh said, “Our Prime Minister had said the the Trinamool government had even finished off trams. We are bringing back trams to Kolkata’s cityscape and in a big way”

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The state Transport Minister clarified that while the latest technological aspects will be borrowed from foreign countries, the manufacturing will be home-grown, giving a boost to Bengal’s job creation.

“Though all the technological aspects will be borrowed from a foreign country, we will make it here in Bengal. This will create jobs for people here,” the Noapara MLA shared.

বিদেশি প্রযুক্তিতে ফিরবে ট্রাম, কর্মসংস্থান পাবেন রাজ্যের যুবকরা: অর্জুন সিং#arjunsingh #kolkatatram #jobopportunities@ArjunsinghWB pic.twitter.com/EMYUM1wYj3

— Dainik Statesman (@StatesmanDainik) July 13, 2026

Offering key details on the routes which will be covered by trams, Singh said, “Trams will run in all the old routes. Among the new stretches planned, we are conducting surveys for the Dakshineswar-Kalighat route. We will also brings Rajarhat, Newtown and Salt Lake under its ambit.”

According to the West Bengal Transport Corporation Limited, while the number of trams have gone down drastically in the modern era of cabs and bikes, Kolkata trams have “managed to brave the odds and thrive in the Kolkatan roads with its same old promise of safe, luxurious and easy going life style.”

Speaking about smart cards for bus transport which is common in several metro cities in the country, Singh said, “We will launch it in Bengal soon using the latest technology available.”

The Minister also assured that smart cards will also be offered to women availing free bus rides in state government buses. “We will be giving them a mapping card as well, through which we can identify the beneficiaries, and find out how many commuters are availing the service and for what duration. This will create a new database for us,” he informed.

The senior BJP leader also assured that a helpline for the transport sector will be launched in July, which will help in easy complaint redressal for commuters.

“We will be launching a helpline for them as well by July for all the corporations whether in north, south, even West Bengal transport corporation through which one can register their complaints as well as get them redressed,” Singh said.