Kolkata Trams: Post 1 .... Congested Streets , Shrinking Network......

 In Last few Years whenever there has been a news about trams in kolkata it has always been about closure, either temporary or permanent.....and in many of the routes where the closures were declared to be temporary has turned out permanent. Construction of metro routes, flyovers and other development projects have Pushed away the old and cranky inefficient trams. We as the citizens of the city have a lot attached imotionaly with the trams, for us its more a nostalgia and imotion than a mode of public transport. But sadly nostalgia and emotions doesnt give a public transport adequate oxygen to survive.... and to survive Kolkata trams has to change.

Dedicated Tracks

In general trans do not succeed without large stretches of dedicated tracks...which are impossible in some parts of our tram route. In fact in some areas in north kolkata like areas of Chitpur and Barabajar operation of trams is really impossible. bileave it or not one day or the other they will have to close. thats the harsh truth. And the tram lovers will have to stop unrealistic aproaches to oppose the closures in these routs. But there are many routes also in kolkata which can ply for many years, if they are stopped just to phase out trams from the city that should be opposed. only the routes which ply on moderately large roads should go on, because in kolkata its impossible to have dedicated tram tracks.

Running According to traffic Rules

In many parts of Kolkata tram Routes, Tramcars run in Both directions in one way Roads creating a huge traffic Problem. This Should be Avoided by relocating one of the tram tracks along the one way,this would create ease for both Tram and vehicle traffic.

Rolling Stock

The Old inefficient Rolling Stock of Kolkata Trams are one of the main causes of its decline modernization is strictly required In case of Rolling Stock.

Stations

Trams Dont have Stations and they need them.... building tram stations are quite easy when the tracks are on the sides of the road ( Ac bus stands of Kolkata provide a Good Model) but very difficult when they are on the middle of the road. but provisions can be made by introducing slight Diversions of the two lines(very Little) and Building Island stations just Like the ac Bus stops although the length should be greater.

Route Rearrangement

The Routes which are parallel to Metro Routes Should Be Closed And Trams Should Take Up the task of serving as a feeder of metro which is entirely done by Autos now. In kolkata there are some parts where there can never be a metro due to Road Width but there can easily be an elevated Tram track... Now many would argue why elevated tram why not monorail or light rail, well the simple ans is only trams can Run Both on viaducts and on Roads.

This a Very Impressive Video of the London Tramlink

 How the Kolkata Trams Shoud Try To be (Atleast in Saltlake and Newtown)

We have Prepared DPRs for some of the new Routes in Kolkata, Saltlake and Newtown... they will be posted in the next post... till then Keep an eye on MetrorailBlog... next up More Abouts the medha Rakes......