Kolkata|29th December 2025: Kolkata’s Historic Tram Network, A symbol of the city’s colonial-era heritage and the oldest operating tram system in Asia, is facing an uncertain future as the West Bengal government moves ahead with plans to modernise urban transport. Authorities have indicated that most tram services may be discontinued, with only a short heritage stretch likely to be retained. Introduced in 1873 as horse-drawn trams and electrified in 1902, the tramways once formed the backbone of Kolkata’s public transport.