123 Kolkata: An increase of 1% in carbon emissions in Kolkata will reduce the photosynthesis of mangroves by 15%, Abhijit Chatterjee, an air pollution expert from Bose Institute, said on Tuesday to underline why trams remain central to the city's decarbonisation efforts, offering a solution that no other mode of transport can match.
The city's historic tramways took centre stage in discussions on urban sustainability and climate resilience at a gathering of experts on Monday. The event, which marked the historic Sundarban Tramyatra, brought together specialists who underscored the link between Kolkata's transport emissions and the fragile ecosystem of the Sundarbans.
Given the crucial role of mangroves in protecting the region, and particularly the city of Kolkata, from climate change and natural disasters, this revelation reinforced the urgency of decarbonisation efforts. Experts at the event stressed that Kolkata, a city highly vulnerable to climate change, cannot afford unchecked motorisation.
Bhargab Maitra, a transportation expert from IIT-Kharagpur, said, "Not only does it worsen emission levels, it also chokes the city, as seen in urban centres like Bengaluru." However, he emphasised the need to improve tram services to attract younger commuters, who increasingly favour personalised transport.
Urban economist Malaya Chatterjee emphasized that trams meet all three criterias for successful public transport—cost-efficiency, regularity, and convenience. "Discontinuing the tram system would be the greatest suicidal act for the city," he warned.
Alok Jain, a sustainable urban mobility expert from Hong Kong, who previously managed the Hong Kong Tramway and Kowloon Motor Bus, said, "I visit Kolkata because of its trams. I make it a point not to miss the Kolkata-Melbourne Tram Yatra. Prioritising trams, as most global cities do, can solve many of Kolkata's urban mobility challenges."
Despite their benefits, trams face an uncertain future. Pradeep Kakkar, a city-based environmentalist who has taken legal action against the govt's proposed tramway abolition, criticised the current policy. "Kolkata's tramways are being forced into extinction, which goes against progressive, citizen-focused global trends," he asserted.
"We need forward-looking, integrated planning—not just for Kolkata but for the entire region," said urban planning expert Tathagata Chatterji. He urged civil society forums to develop a Citizens' Charter for Good Environmental Governance to collaborate with govt departments on sustainable urban solutions.