07 September,2023 06:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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On Thursday, the remains of tram tracks were found underneath the Electric House BEST depot in south Mumbai.
The civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) officials stated that the Colala depot was once used as a carshed for trams.
Besides corroded iron tracks, a cement concrete structure, possibly a repairing bay, also resurfaced when pits were being dug for setting up charging stations for e-buses earlier this week, the BEST official informed PTI news agency.
"The concrete structure consists of a wall on one side and two lines of pillars on the other, resembling a repairing bay for trams or buses. Unfortunately, as the construction contractor was unaware of the significance of these remains, most of the concrete pillars were removed by the JCB excavator, the BEST official said.
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The discovery of tram tracks during road repair or infrastructure works is not new in south Mumbai. In 2016, two parallel tram tracks were found when the road was dug up for concretisation near Hutatma Chowk-Flora Fountain.
During the British era in 1874, the tram service was introduced in the island city of Mumbai. Initially, the trams were pulled by horses, which were replaced by electric engines later in 1907. The tram service finally shut down in 1964, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, the BEST announced that the 'Nilambari' open double-deck buses will be stopped in October 2023. The last three buses will be scrapped starting this month as they have completed their life span. The double-decker open-deck tourist buses were first started by the BEST along with MTDC on January 26, 1997.
Of the three, the first open deck bus will be scrapped on September 16, the second on September 25 and the final one on October 5, as per the schedule.
A tender to procure 50 new open-deck buses remains suspended after BEST found the costs too high last year.
(with inputs from PTI)
