Wed Jan 15 16:49:32 UTC 2025: ## Kolkata High Court Orders Restoration of Illegally Bituminized Tram Tracks
**Kolkata, West Bengal, January 15, 2025** – The Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate restoration of tram tracks illegally covered with asphalt in Kolkata. The order, delivered on January 14th, follows a petition filed by the public interest group People United for Better Living in Calcutta (PUBLIC), highlighting the bituminization as a violation of a previous court order.
The Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) welcomed the decision, stating that multiple tram tracks had been illegally rendered unusable in recent months. CTUA President Dr. Debasish Bhattacharyya accused the Kolkata Police, West Bengal Transport Corporation, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation – dubbed the “anti-tram lobby” – of complicity, claiming ignorance despite the highly visible nature of the work. He refuted their claims that tram tracks cause two-wheeler accidents, calling them a “lie.”
The High Court’s division bench, comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, expressed disbelief that the bituminization could have occurred unnoticed on busy public roads. The court directed the removal of the asphalt and the filing of a photographic report detailing the restoration work.
Chief Justice Sivagnanam emphasized the cultural significance of Kolkata’s tram network, highlighting its unique place in the city’s heritage and comparing it to tram systems successfully operating in other global cities. He stressed the importance of preserving this cultural heritage.
While celebrating the court’s decision as a positive step, Arghyadeep Hatua, a tram supporter and member of the Global Walkability Correspondents network, cautioned that it’s only a first step in a larger fight to preserve Kolkata’s tram system. He emphasized the system’s existing infrastructure and potential for significant benefits with minimal investment. The ongoing battle to maintain Kolkata’s unique tram network continues.
First Piper 