Calcutta Tram Users Association

Calcutta Tram Users Association
	Logo of Calcutta Tram Users Association
Abbreviation	CTUA
Formation	December 2016;7 years ago
Headquarters	Kolkata, India
Location	Kolkata, India;
President	Dr. Debashish Bhattacharya
Secretary-General	Mahadeb Shi
Website	www.ctua.in

Last updated November 29, 2024

The Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) is an apolitical advocacy group formed in December 2016. It was formed by citizens of Kolkata and West Bengal in order to advocate for Trams in Kolkata.^[1]

Allegations of anti-tram campaigns

Trams in Kolkata are currently operated by the West Bengal Transport Corporation through Calcutta Tramways Company. Members of the CTUA allege that the gradual decline of Kolkata trams, starting in 2011, is due to an anti-tram propaganda campaign run by the government and supported by the automobile and auto-rickshaw lobbys. Since 2011, most Kolkata tramlines have been gradually shut down. Members of the CTUA have also alleged that the Government of West Bengal colluded with the Kolkata Traffic Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in order to suppress tramlines.^[2]

Foundation of CTUA

CTUA under the leadership of its president Mr. Debasish Bhattacharya, a retired scientist, has been steadfastly advocating for the preservation and revival of trams in Kolkata. Originally founded in the 1990s, being registered as an independent society, the association emerged as a union of individuals united against the removal of trams from the city.^[3]

Legal advocacy

CTUA, as a society is eligible to take move for legal assistance.^[4]^[5]

Public awareness programme

CTUA is advocating to preserve tram system of the city not only in legal advocacy, but also spreading public awareness regarding trams by conducting press meeting, academic seminars and public celebrations.^[6]

Tramjatra

Since 1990's a customised tram parade followed by cultural and public awareness event is conducted by CTUA on regular basis. The internationally recognized event is officially called Tramjatra (ট্রামযাত্রা).^[7]

Social events

CTUA celebrated 150th birth anniversary of Kolkata Tram with a unique tram parade. In this parade a tram car that was first used to provide water and clean the tracks in the 1920s rolled out once more for a day. Later this month, two wooden trams manufactured in the preceding two decades but currently sitting idle in the depots was visible running on the streets of city of joy. The fleet also included double-bogey and air-conditioned trams that are currently in use. They survived World War II, witnessed historical events such as the Bengal famine, communal riots, and the fight for independence, and are now themselves historical artefacts. A week-long celebration of Calcutta Tramways' legacy will be held from February 24, 2023, to March 2, 2023.^[8]
CTUA celebrated 151th birth anniversary of Kolkata Tram with various cultural events from 20 to 24 February 2024. The event ended up with a street-corner meeting at esplanade tram terminus including public demonstration against recent government policies to phase out this mode of pollution free, low maintenance public transport. In the meeting, president of CTUA, Dr. Debasish Bhattacharya said, "We had a meeting on February 13 when we decided that to celebrate the 151st birthday of the Kolkata tram, we will gather at the Gariahat depot at 10 a.m. on February 24. Notable people and dignitaries will be invited. It will be more of a cultural event than a direct protest when we will voice our demands through the dignitaries. We will also organise a special tram ride to the Esplanade depot and back. On March 15 afternoon, a street corner meeting will be held at the Esplanade. This will be a pure protest gathering in association with other organisations."^[9]
After a report emerged that the owner and current operating authority of Kolkata Trams, Government of West Bengal was planning to shut down the 151-year-old tramway, except for preserving one route for the purpose of tourism; and considering that it did not deny the report, it is being assumed that the iconic Kolkata tram is soon going to say goodbye to the city and to India. On July 25, 2024, a press conference was held as the union's new move against the possibility of the tram's closure. In this press conference, CTUA president Dr. Debasish Bhattacharya said, "The transport department has completely ignored the guidelines issued by the high court in its order for 'restoration, maintenance, and preservation' of the tramways. The reasons forwarded by the department against tramways are completely imaginary, such as trams slowing down traffic. The sale of team depot lands will be a disaster because, once sold, you won't get back the land. Moreover, heritage of the city is not confined to the Maidan (when the lone route might be preserved for tourism). The Kolkata tramway is a living industrial heritage eligible for UNESCO tag." In that conference, G.M. Kapur, CEO of INTACH(Kolkata Chapter) also said, "There are cities in Europe, Asia, Americas, Australia, Africa, in fact all over the world, where electric trams are either being modernised or being reintroduced, while shockingly, we in Kolkata are doing away with them. What can be the logic behind such a move is not understandable."^[1]

Collaborations

On June 5, 2024, Celebrating World Environment Day, when most of India was following the results of the general elections, about 70 tram enthusiasts from CTUA and SwitchOn Foundation gathered in Kolkata to demand restoration of the most environment-friendly mode of urban transport.^[1]
On 25 July 2024, CTUA, in association with INTACH (Kolkata Chapter) held a press conference and public awareness programme criticising government policies to phase out trams from Kolkata streets.^[1]

Related Research Articles

Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, 80 km (50 mi) west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary financial and commercial centre of eastern and northeastern India. Kolkata is the seventh most populous city in India with an estimated city proper population of 4.5 million (0.45 crore) while its metropolitan region Kolkata Metropolitan Area is third most populous metropolitan region of India with a metro population of over 15 million. Kolkata is regarded by many sources as the cultural capital of India and a historically and culturally significant city in the historic region of Bengal.

Esplanade is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, located at the heart of city with being the city's Central business district. This is a conventional esplanade because the Ganga river (Ganges), also known as Hooghly river, flows nearby and it is adjacent to the large fields of Maidan extending up to Fort William.

Melbourne tram route 86 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from Bundoora RMIT to Waterfront City. The 22.2-kilometre (13.8 mi) route is operated out of Preston depot with E class trams.

Tollygunge is a locality of South Kolkata, in West Bengal, India. It is known for being the center of Indian Bengali-language cinema, with filming locations used for other regional Indian films.

Kolkata is the prime business, commercial and financial hub of eastern India and the main hub of communication for the North East Indian states. Kolkata, with a GDP (PPP) of $220 billion is home to India's oldest, stock exchange company (bourse) – The Calcutta Stock Exchange. Kolkata is home to many industrial units operated by large public- and private-sector corporations; major sectors include steel, heavy engineering, mining, minerals, cement, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, electronics, textiles, and jute.

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Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC) was a West Bengal state government undertaken transport corporation. Headquartered in Kolkata, it was set up on 31 July 1948. Currently it operates under the name WBTC. It plied buses in Kolkata and nearby districts of West Bengal, along with some long-distance services. CSTC owned 11 depots in Kolkata and the districts to station its fleet of busses.

West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) is a West Bengal state government undertaken corporation. It plies buses, trams and ferries in the state. It was formed by merging existing state transport agencies, namely the Calcutta State Transport Corporation, the Calcutta Tramways Company and the West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcutta Tramways Company</span> State-run company in West Bengal, India

Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) was a state-run company that operated trams and buses in and around Kolkata in West Bengal, India. The Kolkata tram is the only operating tramway in India and is the oldest electric tram in India, operating since 1902.

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References

1 2 3 4 Ghosh, Bishwanath (July 25, 2024). "Give Kolkata back its tram, reiterate enthusiasts as they step up pressure on government". The Hindu. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024– via www.thehindu.com.
↑ Ghosh, Bishwanath (June 13, 2024). "Elections come and go, but downward trundle continues for iconic Kolkata tram". The Hindu. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024– via www.thehindu.com.
↑ "Save Kolkata's Trams- mission by a retired biochemist". Get Bengal.
↑ https://www.wbidc.com/assets/doing_business/Model_Regulations.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjUneHrut6HAxWBU2wGHUBrBN4QFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ZeH3zFBWiQmss5P9uap1C%5B‍%5D
↑ MP, Team (December 13, 2023). "Consider modernising and restoring tram services in city: HC directs state". www.millenniumpost.in.
↑ "A Unique Tram Event Held in Kolkata to Preserve the Environment—GetBengal story". Get Bengal. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
↑ "Kolkata Tramways | in an open letter to Mamata Banerjee, an Australian tram worker and activist seeks for Kolkata's tram infrastructure the attention it deserves - Telegraph India". Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.^{[ bare URL ]}
↑ "150 years of Calcutta Trams: All you need to know about eco-friendly vehicle introduced by East India Company". News9live. 2023-02-14. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
↑ Ghosh, Bishwanath (2024-02-20). "Cultural, protest events to mark 151 years of Kolkata tram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-08-05.

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[:0-1] 1 2 3 4 Ghosh, Bishwanath (July 25, 2024). "Give Kolkata back its tram, reiterate enthusiasts as they step up pressure on government". The Hindu. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024– via www.thehindu.com.

[2] Ghosh, Bishwanath (June 13, 2024). "Elections come and go, but downward trundle continues for iconic Kolkata tram". The Hindu. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024– via www.thehindu.com.

[3] "Save Kolkata's Trams- mission by a retired biochemist". Get Bengal.

[4] ttps://www.wbidc.com/assets/doing_business/Model_Regulations.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjUneHrut6HAxWBU2wGHUBrBN4QFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ZeH3zFBWiQmss5P9uap1C%5B‍%5D

[5] MP, Team (December 13, 2023). "Consider modernising and restoring tram services in city: HC directs state". www.millenniumpost.in.

[6] "A Unique Tram Event Held in Kolkata to Preserve the Environment—GetBengal story". Get Bengal. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.

[7] "Kolkata Tramways | in an open letter to Mamata Banerjee, an Australian tram worker and activist seeks for Kolkata's tram infrastructure the attention it deserves - Telegraph India". Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.^{[ bare URL ]}

[:1-8] "150 years of Calcutta Trams: All you need to know about eco-friendly vehicle introduced by East India Company". News9live. 2023-02-14. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.

[:2-9] Ghosh, Bishwanath (2024-02-20). "Cultural, protest events to mark 151 years of Kolkata tram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-08-05.

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