Kolkata To Get Tram Library On College Street Route Aiming To Attract Students On-Board

If there¡¯s one of thing that sets Kolkata apart from other Indian metros, it's the city's trams. Trams have long been part of Kolkata¡¯s charm. Running since March 27, 1902, they make up one of the oldest transport systems in Asia.

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Giving it that something extra, Kolkata is all set to get a tram library. The specially designed tram library will have books and magazines, including those on competitive examinations such as the civil services, GRE, GMAT, etc.

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The aim is to attract students from various schools and colleges along its route, the chief of West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), Rajanvir Singh Kapur said.

First ever #tram library set to come to #Kolkata's #CollegeStreet pic.twitter.com/2cE7mgEHsu

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The tram library, which will be inaugurated on Thursday, will travel regularly between Shyambazar and Esplanade, traversing 4.5 km through the city's education hub - College Street, Mr Kapur told PTI.

There are at least 30 educational institutions along the route, including the Calcutta University, Presidency University, Scottish Church College, Hindu School, Hare School and the Calcutta Girls' School.

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"The tram library, being introduced by the WBTC that oversees India's only functional tramways, is a unique tram with books, magazines," Mr Kapur told news agency Press Trust of India.

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The tramcar will also have free wifi, which will help passengers read e-books. "We are also planning book reading sessions, book launches and literary festivals in the tram library in future," the official said, calling the project a dream come true that will give a new dimension to the city's heritage, a tram service running since 1902.

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After resuming services amid COVID-19 pandemic, more tram routes are being planned for Kolkata to cater to passenger requirements and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, WBTC Managing Director Rajanvir Singh Kapur said on Sunday.

A lot of tracks and overhead wire systems were damaged by uprooted trees during Cyclone Amphan, he said.

Engineers of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) have been working day and night to restore the tram tracks, Kapur added.

So far, four of the six tram routes have been restored and the fifth one is scheduled to resume service from the next week, he said. Almost one-third of the vehicular pollution in Kolkata is caused by buses due to the comparatively high emission associated with the conventional fleet, he said. With some minor repair work being completed in the College Street-Wellington stretch, the fifth tram route between Esplanade and Shyambazar is likely to be resumed next week, he said.