Kolkata to have new look trams from 2009

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has decided to introduce new-look trams in the metropolis from next year to gradually replace the old rolling stock, Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty said on Tuesday.
    
''From next year, we will introduce trams which will have aesthetic design and better passenger comfort. The details have been worked out,'' he told newsmen.
    
Earlier, Chakraborty held a meeting with Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta on funds to repair the remaining stretches of trams tracks in the city.
    
After the meeting, Dasgupta told newsmen that the transport department had asked for Rupees five crore to take up track repairs.
    
Tracks between Shyambazar and Belgachhia, Shyambazar and Khanna, Hazra and Tollygunj and Judges Court Road and Gariahat would be taken up, Dasgupta said, adding that he had asked the Transport Department to submit a proposal.

Later, Chakraborty said that Rupees three crore would be sufficient to take up the initial repair work.