No tram revival, instead e-buses to be rolled out

Delhiites will not get another chance to travel by trams which used to ply in the Capital 50 years ago, as the city government has decided to scrap the project for their revival and instead is planning to bring e-buses for the convenience of commuters in Old Delhi.

The decision was taken during a board meeting of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation headed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The Corporation was looking after the project.

In August this year, the Delhi government had announced that it would run trams in several areas of Old Delhi like Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Digamber Jain Mandir, Sheeshganj Gurudwara, Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station for better connectivity.

 “In the Corporation’s board meeting, it was decided to scrap trams project in Old Delhi areas. Instead of trams, e-buses will be run by the government in these areas,” an official said.

The official added that running trams would cost the government more and besides, the project would take more time for its execution.

Trams, which were first introduced in the Capital in 1908 under the British Raj, had stopped plying between Red Fort and Fatehpuri mosque in the 1960s due to rising congestion in the area. “The Corporation has decided to run e-buses in Old Delhi areas as its more cost-effective. Tenders will soon be floated in this regard,” the official added.

Sisodia had on August 4 visited the Walled City and announced that trams would be brought back in the area.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had proposed a 4.3-km tram line in Chandni Chowk — one of the busiest and most congested market places in the national Capital.