Come February’23-It’s the sesquicentennial jubilee of the iconic Tramjatra of Kolkata

Kolkata is perhaps the only city in Asia that still has the tram system of transport running. Ever fascinated by anything running on rails, I thought of penning a snippet on these trams of Kolkata which are touching a hundred and fifty years.

The Calcutta Tramways Company was formed and registered in London on 22nd December 1880. Meter-gauge horse-drawn tram tracks were laid from Sealdah to Armenian Ghat. In 1882, steam locomotives were deployed to haul tram cars, which were faster. In 1900, the tramway was electrified and the tracks were converted to standard gauge. In 1967, the Government of West Bengal passed the Calcutta Tramways Company (Taking over of Management) Act and assumed management on 19th July 1967. This was the golden age of the tramways with a maximum number of tram cars, track kilometers and passengers.

These trams run on specially laid out tracks on roads ...and at times… even in maidans! Energy is drawn from the overhead electric cables.  Quite eco-friendly too as these trams don’t spew out any harmful emissions. A bit slow though, these were ideal to be used by the ladies, when they went out for their afternoon shopping expeditions to the city, when time was not a constraint….

Sadly, the ongoing metro construction works have led to a drastic decline in the number of tram routes. Presently, there are only a couple of routes running- Ballygunge to Tollygunge and Gariahat to Esplanade.

It is still the most economical mode of transportation in Kolkata, but unfortunately seems to be in it’s final stages.

May the last trams keep running!!