Kolkata, May 12 -- An RTI reply from the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has revived hopes for the restoration of several suspended tram routes in Kolkata, with transport authorities formally stating that two services running over the Sealdah flyover may resume after structural clearance from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
The clarification, issued on April 23, 2026, came in response to a Right to Information application filed in April 2022 by an NGO, seeking the status of four suspended tram routes - 12/1 (Esplanade-Belgachia), 17 (Bidhannagar-Esplanade), 26 (Gariahat-Howrah Bridge) and 20 (Park Circus-Howrah Bridge).
According to the reply, routes 12/1 and 17 were suspended after tram movement over Vidyapati Setu, commonly known as the Sealdah flyover, was halted for structural health tests by KMDA. Route 17 was also affected by restrictions on the Bagmari Bridge.
The department stated that the services may resume if tram movement is permitted again on the flyover and bridge.
The RTI response further clarified that routes 26 and 20 remain suspended because of restrictions imposed by Kolkata Police on tram movement along MG Road due to traffic congestion. The department said no timeline could be specified for the restoration
of those routes.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.