India, July 2 -- Where trams once threaded through Kolkata, clanging past busy lanes, only two routes now remain of a network that shaped how this city moved, protested, fell in love and, more than once, buried its poets.

That may be about to change. West Bengal's new BJP government said last week it wants to revive the tram network, which shut down most services in September 2024.

"We want to revive the environment-friendly public transport system. RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) has been asked to conduct a survey," state transport minister Arjun Singh said on Sunday.

Officials say the plan is to renovate the existing tracks and preserve the network as heritage infrastructure, while also drawing tourists and offering...