Kolkata tram : A ride through history
15 June, Kolkata
The Kolkata tram has preserved its romantic, old-world charm, adding to the beautiful character of the city of joy.
The ”City of joy” and the tram ride goes synonymous. Kolkata tram is one of the deeply rooted historic entities which was once a pride of this megacity! It’s one of those features that gives a distinct look to Kolkata from other metros. Trams have been Kolkata’s age-old tradition.
After revamp, the electric tram service has become a widely accessed mode of transport for average Kolkatans.
Trams have been intimately associated with the history and lifestyle of Kolkata and have been portrayed time and again in popular culture.
The city has diverse mode of transports starting right from regular government buses, private buses, AC Volvos, cabs, underground tube rail, rickshaws and autos. But the tram service has its own charm as it takes you to the bygone era.
Most of Kolkatans who are born and brought up in the city have undoubtedly accessed tramcars for various purposes for sure. For the past four to five years Kolkata has slowly dropped curtains on this iconic transport.
With few handfuls of tramcars left, this nostalgic mode of transport is still plying in some portion of the city. In the current context only 125 tramcars are operational. To meet the ever growing needs of rapid urbanization and newer techniques in transportation, today tramcars of Kolkata are a thing of past.
At present this heritage transport is active on 21 routes and talks are going on to reinstate the closed routes in the coming days, if possible.
Kolkata is the only Indian city which has an electric tram network. Over the years, the tram has undergone a series of transformations. Horses have given way to electricity.
Kolkata’s tram epitomises the laid-back nature of this erstwhile British capital.
These slow-moving electric reptiles have been rumbling down the streets of Kolkata for 144 years. They have witnessed the golden decades of this heritage city since its formal inception back in 1873.
Kolkata has always been known for its tramways. Ever since its short-lived initial inception in 1873, to its actual conceptualisation in 1882 when Viceroy Lord Ripon inaugurated the first route, this sturdy build electrically driven carriage has gone through wears and tears with the ravages of time, carving out our golden phases of history.
By Biswamoy Mukherjee