Fresh appeal to revive city tram network

Kolkata: Bengal’s intelligentsia has made a fresh appeal to the government for revival of its tram network as an environment-friendly, climate-resilient mode of transport that requires minimal investment. The prominent citizens include actor Aparna Sen, lawyer Arunava Ghosh, singer Pratul Mukhopadhyay, former advocate-general Bimal Chatterjee, thespian Bibhas Chakraborty, former cricketer Satyabrata ‘Raju’ Mukherjee, film historian Sanjay Mukherjee, artists Niranjan Pradhan and Ganesh Haloi, singer Pallab Kirtania and environmentalist Pradip Dutta. In an open letter, 41 prominent citizens expressed agony over the systematic move to dismantle the city’s tram network. They demanded revival of all closed tram routes, an increase in tram cars, modernisation of trams, stalling efforts to sell old tram cars and sale or lease of depots. “ It is not only that a piece of history will be obliterated from the city, but the most convenient, climate-friendly mode of transport will be abolished. It will be a tremendous mistake and foolishness to do away with trams...,” the letter said. SUCI(C) has launched a signature campaign and plans to write an open letter to CM Mamata Banerjee.