The Kolkata Tram System, is a LRT that serves Kolkata, the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal, operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) after Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) was merged with WBTC. Being started in 1873 Kolkata tram is the oldest operating tram network in the world. Being electrified in 1902, Calcutta became the first Asian City with electric tramway.[4] The Kolkata Tram is the only tram system operating now in India. With the help of periodic negligence, the Government of West Bengal (current operators) had formed systematic initiatives to suspend the entire tram network from the city and sell properties. However, an apolitical organization named Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) was formed in 2016 to advocate in favor of Kolkata's tram system.[5] The network initially had up to 37 lines in the 1960s,[6] but has gradually reduced over the years with only two lines currently operating due to financial struggles, poor maintenance, low ridership, addition of road flyovers, expansion of the Kolkata Metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space. Right now there are two tram routes running. They are -
Life-size model of a horse-drawn tram at the City Centre arcade, Salt Lake
The first horse-drawn trams in India ran for 2.4 miles (3.9km) between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street on 24 February 1873. The service was discontinued on 20 November of that year.[2] The Calcutta Tramway Company was formed and registered in London on 22 December 1880. Meter-gauge horse-drawn tram tracks were laid from Sealdah to Armenian Ghat via Bowbazar Street, Dalhousie Square, and Strand Road. The route was inaugurated by the Viceroy, Lord Ripon, on 1 November 1880.[2]
The oldest tram terminus is now suspended for construction of metro line 2Esplanade tram terminus.Kalighat depot is the smallest (in term of both area and track number) and oldest tram depot in Kolkata
At first, it was planned to open tram network in three directions – in north towards Kumartuli via Chitpur Road (now Rabindra Sarani) for easy transportation of then-rich Indians, middle-classes and poor who lived in those areas, in the east towards Sealdah stations via Bowbazar Street (now Bipin Bihari Gangopadhay Street) for railway passengers' interchange who come from outside of Kolkata, and in the south towards Kalighat via Russa Road (now Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay Road) because not only for easy transportation of then-rich Indians, middle-classes and poor who lived at those areas but also as a Hindu pilgrimage regarding Kali temple for inhabitants and tourists. Kalighat tram depot was also constructed at that, time, which was also a minor workshop for all horse trams. Besides this the city center connection between Dharmatala (now known as Esplanade) & Dalhousie Square (now known as Binay Badal Dinesh Bag) was also established via Old Court House Street (now Hemanta Basu Sarani).[7] One year later, a second route towards north Kolkata up to Shyambazar via College Street was opened for residents and students of medical college, university, and various schools & colleges. A second route from Wellington Square (now known as Subodh Chandra Mullick Square) to Sealdah Station via Moula Ali was also opened for more transportation of railway passengers. Sealdah tram terminus was at that place where Sealdah metro station of the Kolkata metro line 2 is. At the same time, the first opening a westward tram route was opened by the High Court via Strand Road (now Rajib Gandhi Sarani) was connected by tram network for pleaders, law-related peoples, and river-bathers of Ganga. High Court tram terminus was at that place where now the annexure building of the High Court is situated. Another connection from Metcalf Hall towards Nimtala via Strand Road (now Rajib Gandhi Sarani) was also opened for serving the crematorium and serving of businessmen. Nimtala tram terminus was at that place beside of the red temple building is now situated.[7] By opening those routes, Shyambazar, High Court, Nimtala, Sealdah, Dalhousie Square, Dharmatala and Kalighat area was connected by horse tram. Kalighat was the only depot at that time, so it was the oldest tram depot.
Timeline
1873 – Opening of horse tram as meter gauge, closure in the same year.
1880 – Final opening of horse tram as a permanent system. Calcutta Tramways Company was established.
1881 – Dalhousie Square – Lalbazar - Bowbazar – Lebutala - Sealdah Station route opened (Later route 14). Esplanade – Lalbazar – Pagyapatti – Companybagan - Shobhabazar – Kumortuli route opened (Later route 7 after extension). Dalhousie Square – Esplanade connection opened (Later route 22, 24, 25 & 29). The connection was improved at Lalbazar Junction for through running trams from Dalhousie Square to Kumortuli (Later route 8 after extension). Esplanade – Planetarium - Hazra Park – Kalighat route opened. (Later route 30). Occasional through service started from Kumortuli to Kalighat either via Esplanade or via Dalhousie Square.
1882 - Esplanade – Wellington Square – Bowbazar – Boipara - Hatibagan - Shyambazar Junction route opened (Later route 5). The connection was improved at Bowbazar Junction for through running trams from Dalhousie Square to Shyambazar (Later route 6). Wellington Square – Moula Ali - Sealdah Station route opened (Later route 12 after extension). Dalhousie Square – Metcalfe Hall - High Court route opened (Later route 14 extension). Direct tram service from Sealdah Station to High Court started. Metcalfe Hall – Howrah Bridge – Nimtala route opened (Later route 19). Direct tram service from Esplanade to Nimtala started. At this time steam tram service was thought.[7]
1883–1902: Steam trams
In 1882, steam locomotives were deployed experimentally to haul tram cars. In the next year a new route opened for steam tram service towards Khidirpur. Tram tracks were laid down via Dufferin Road through maidan, and on reserved track for high-speed steam trams for morning walkers, tourists, race-course goers, and peoples living on those area. Khidirpur tram depot was also constructed at that time, which was also a minor workshop for all steam trams.[7] It was followed by a south-central branch towards from Wellington Square to Park Street (now Mother Teresa Sarani) via Wellesley Street (now Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road).[7] After a long sixteen years gap, the Nimtala route was connected with Company Bagan line via Nimtala Ghat Street, and the Dharmatala – Nimtala service was changed to steam tram. At this time horse trams ran on Shyambazar, Sealdah, High Court & Kalighat routes, and steam trams ran on Nimtala, Park Street & Khidirpur route. The Dharmatala – Wellington Square section and Esplanade – Metcalfe Hall section, were served by both horse and steam trams until 1901. Khidirpur & Kalighat were the only steam & horse tram depot at that time respectively.
By the end of the century, the company owned 166 tram cars, 1,000 horses, seven steam locomotives, and 19 miles of track.[2]
1884 - Wellington Square – Park Street route opened (Later route 21 & 22 after extension)
1900 - Nimtala – Companybagan route opened (non-revenue service only). Electrification & conversion to standard gauge was started.[7]
1902–1951: Electric trams
Early electric tram at Chitpur Road (Rabindra Sarani)A tram in 1945 at HatibaganA Calcutta tram in Esplanade terminus during British periodShyambazar terminus is the northernmost terminus.Tollygunge depot is the southernmost tram depot of Kolkata.
In 1900, the electrification of the tramway and conversion of its tracks to 4ft8+1⁄2in (1,435mm) (standard gauge) began.[2] The first electric tramcar in Calcutta ran from Esplanade to Kidderpore on 27 March 1902, with service from Esplanade to Kalighat introduced on 14 June of that year. Both Kalighat & Khidirpur tram depot was converted to electric tram depot. The connecting route through Grey Street (now Arabinda Sarani) was opened in that year for a second route between Shyambazar and Dharmatala. The Nonapukur Workshop was established also in that year, from where the track connection up to Wellesley Street opened via Elliott Road, after which the Park Street branch closed. Now the major repairing of the horse, steam and electric trams was started at Nonapukur.[7] In next year, the Kalighat line was extended to Tollygunge for serving the then south suburban area and film studios via Russa Road (now Shyama Prasad Mukhopadhyay Road). Tollygunge tram depot was also constructed at that time, which was the largest tram depot in terms of area. The Shyambazar line was also extended to Belgachia for serving the then north suburban area, hospital, and rail yards via Belgachhia Road (now Radha Gobinda Kar Road). Belgachhia tram depot and Shyambazar tram terminus were also opened in this year.[7] In next year, The Kumourtuli line was extended to Bagbazar, after which the Kumortuli terminus was closed. Bagbazar tram terminus was at that place where now a lorry parking area beside the circular railway track.[7] A new route from Sealdah Station to Howrah Bridge (now Rabindra Setu) via Harrison Road (now Mahatma Gandhi Road) was opened on next year, for serving the businessmen, residents, ferry passengers and railway passengers for Howrah Station. At that time the electrification project was completed.[2]
The old Behala tram terminus was the only V-shaped terminusGaliff Street terminus.
Two years later, the connection between Nonapukur and Moula Ali opened via Circular Road (now Acharya Jagadish Chandra Basu Road), and after that tram service started from Nonapukur to Howrah Bridge via Sealdah station. A branch up to Mominpur was also opened from Wattganj via Diamond Harbour Road, but at that time direct access was constructed through Orphanganjbazar.[7] In next year a new branch was constructed from Shyambazar Junction to Galiff Street via Cornwallis Street (now Bidhan Sarani), and occasional tram service was also started from Galiff Street to Dharmatala. Side by side the Mominpur branch was also extended up to Behala, another then south suburban area via Diamond Harbour Road (now Balananda Brahmachari Sarani). At that time Behala tram terminus was at right side of Diamond Harbour Road. The connecting route through Alipur Road was also opened in that year for a tram connection between Behala & Kalighat, also a second route between Kalighat and Dharmatala.[7]
At that time, tram service was opened in Howrah City. From Howrah Station, two routes were selected. One towards north up to Bandhaghat via Dobson Road (Now Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Road), another towards south up to Shibpur via Grand Trunk Road. For shibpur route, a single coach double-ended tram was selected due to the lack of creating a loop at Shibpur. For Howrah service, a new depot was constructed at Ghasbagan. Hence then the old Howrah Bridge was a pontoon bridge, it was not possible to connect Kolkata tram and Howrah tram directly.[7]
Rajabazar depot.
Two years later, the Sealdah Station to Rajabazar route opened in 1910. Rajabazar tram depot was also constructed at that time, which was the largest tram depot in terms of track number.[7]
Ballygunge terminus, the easternmost terminus.
After a long 15 years gap, new tram route construction had started again in 1925. The Nonapukur line was extended to Park Circus via Park Street (now Mother Teresa Sarani) for serving residents and circus goers of that area. Park Circus tram depot was also constructed at that time. In the next year, the direct access of the Behala line via Orphanganjbazar was replaced by present alignment via Wattganj junction for smooth tram service.[7] A new terminus near Racecourse was constructed in next year for race special trams towards Belgachhia, Bagbazar, Galiff Street, Rajabazar, High Court, Nimtala, Park Circus, Tollygunge, Behala & Khidirpur. In the next year, a new branch was constructed from Kalighat to Ballygunge, another then south suburb of Kolkata via Ballygunge Avenue (now Rasbihari Avenue).[7]
Tram tracks on Acharya Praphulla Chandra Roy Road.Gariahat tram depot is the newest tram depot.
After again a long 13 years gap, new tram route construction had started again in 1941. The Rajabazar line was extended to connect with Galiff Street line at Shyambazar junction via Circular Road (now Acharya Praphulla Chandra Ray Road).[7] Two years later, when new Howrah Bridge (now Rabindra Setu) was opened, tram service started crossing the river Hooghly and connecting Kolkata & Howrah tram network. Very few times trams from Shibpur and Bandhaghat came towards Dharmatala and Rajabazar. In the same year, the Park Circus line was extended to connect with the Ballygunge line at Gariahat junction via Gariahat Road (now Syed Amir Ali Avenue). Gariahat tram depot was also constructed at that time.[7] With this extension, total track length reached 42.0 miles (67.59km).[2]
1951–1990: Nationalisation
In 1951, the government of West Bengal entered an agreement with the Calcutta Tramways Company, and the Calcutta Tramways Act of 1951 was enacted. The government assumed the tramways, reserving the right to purchase the system with two years' notice on 1 January 1972 or at any time thereafter.[2] After Independence, during the partition of India, the number of people started dramatically increasing on the roads of Kolkata due to a lot of refugees. The city centre area started getting congested due to the increasing number of buses and cars. So tram company thought to shift the tram tracks of Dalhousie Square from outside to the inside of the square. It was completed in 1952.[7] It was followed by redesigning of Esplanade terminus in 1960, also due to increasing number of pedestrians and automobiles. At that time, there were five ways of tram routes from Esplanade, i.e. – Bentinck Street, Dharmatala Street (now Lenin Sarani), Chowrangi Road (now Jawaharlal Nehru Road), Dufferin Road and Old Court House Street (now Hemanta Basu Sarani), and three ways of tram routes from Dalhousie Square, i.e. – Old Court House Street (now Hemanta Basu Sarani), Hare Street & Lalbazar Street.[7] Four years later, the old Majherhat bridge was replaced by a new bridge with tram tracks.[7]
The Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Organisation (CMPO) introduced a plan in 1964 for a new network in the philosophy of the semi-metro called "Aerorail". Light rail vehicles would make use of viaducts in the city centre on two axis. These vehicles were to be compatible with the existing tram system, and the viaducts would have been built in stages. The plan was shelved because of opposition, expecting unforeseen difficulties.[8] In 1967, the Government of West Bengal passed the Calcutta Tramways Company (Taking Over of Management) Act and assumed management on 19 July. Until that time, it was the golden age of Kolkata, with maximum number of rolling stocks, route kilometers and passengers. Some 415 trams were in daily service, out of a total of 459.[9]
Decline
Historical lines, active lines and formerly planned lines.
The decline of tram networks started in India during the early thirties, when the Kanpur tram was closed. However other cities had continued trams, but mass closure started from the mid-fifties to mid-sixties, when tram networks of Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai gradually closed. Overall in the world, at that time, trams were thought of as an old technology and inflexible. The number of automobiles was increasing, so it started occupying tram tracks especially on narrow streets, and tram services got hampered. But surprisingly, car and bus drivers started blaming the tram, which was fueled by political leaders. So it was decided to close the entire Kolkata tram network within 1980. On 8 November 1976, the Calcutta Tramways (Acquisition of Undertaking) ordinance was promulgated under which the company (and its assets) was nationalized.[2]
The former Ghasbagan tram depot is now a bus depotThe former Shibpur tram terminusThe former Nimtala tram terminus
The Howrah sections were decided to close first, because the government thought trams were creating traffic jams on narrow streets of Howrah city. So in 1971, both the Bandhaghat and Shibpur lines were closed, including the Ghasbagan tram depot. The depot got vacant and abandoned for some vehicle dumping place. However the Howrah station terminus survived, but it was started redesigning largely. All single and double coach trams were transferred to Kolkata area. In Kolkata, a new tram terminus was constructed in Behala, this time on the left side of Diamond Harbour Road for no need for reversing the tram.[7] Two years later, Nimtala route along Companybagan (now Rabindra Kanan) section was closed in May 1973, and the Howrah Station terminus redesigning completed in 1976. The racecourse terminus was also closed due to the construction of 2nd Hooghly Bridge (now Vidyasagar Setu).[7] Total track length was now reduced to 38 miles (61.2km).[2]
The diverted tram route through Surya Sen street, recently became one way for tram, now temporarily suspended for metro line 2.
However, tram service was survived in Kolkata, largely supported by then transport minister Rabin Mukherjee, and also due to high rise of oil prices in the international market, which make costly for automobiles. Internationally some cities were started returning tram for this economical reason. Since 1978, line 1 of Kolkata metro construction was started by the cut & cover method. It was needed the construction of a large trench through the planned route, which was mostly served before by tram. So it was thought to temporarily close the tram service along those routes. Later it was planned to part of the tram routes in south Kolkata would remain opened because two tram depots - Kalighat & Tollygunge were situated along the tram route, and it was not practical to close those depots and close a number of tram routes for this reason, rather thought to diverse some tram routes. For this reason, tram tracks between Hazra Park (then renamed to Jatin Das Park) and Dharmatala (then renamed to Esplanade) via Planetarium was closed (the 3rd oldest tram route), but all tram routes which were running via Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Road were diverted via Biplabi Ganesh Ghosh Sarani, Alipur Road, Diamond Harbour Road, Khidirpur Road & Dufferin Road. This closed section was partially reopened in the next year between Planetarium and Esplanade due to protests of passengers, tourists, and hawkers. A new terminus was constructed beside Birla Planetarium.[7] At that time, construction of Sealdah Flyover was started. Due to its low height (for running tram on it), it was decided to close tracks between Sealdah and Lebutala, but diverse this route from Lebutala to Mirzapur via Raja Ram Mohan Sarani & Surya Sen Street. In the 1st phase, tram service opened between Mirzapur and Purabi cinema for Howrah Station tram routes, and in the next year from Purabi Cinema to Lebutala for Binay Badal Dinesh Bag routes. At that time Surya Sen Street was the only tram only street of Kolkata, and the original route previously mentioned (the oldest tram route) with Sealdah Station terminus was closed.[7] For metro line 1 construction, the tracks between Lalbazar and Esplanade via Bentinck Street (the 2nd oldest tram route) was also closed, but all tram routes which were running via Bentinck Street were diverted via Hemanta Basu Sarani & Lalbazar Street.[7] In next year, Sealdah flyover opened with tram tracks on it. It was very few flyovers of the world which had tram tracks.[7]
Expansion
After a one decade major closures of the lines, some new routes were planned by government. Then transport minister Rabin Mukherjee proposed some new lines and connecting lines. Those were –
Maniktala to Bidhannagar
Behala to Joka
Galiff Street to Dakshineshwar
Tollygunge out post to Jadabpur.
Ultadanga to Airport
Kalighat to Taratala (via New Alipur)
Moula Ali to Park Circus (via Sundari Mohan Avenue)
For first phase, first two lines were selected. On 17 April 1985, tracks were extended 3.7km (2.30mi) from Maniktala to Ultadanga via Maniktala Main Road (now Satin Sen Sarani) and C. I. T. Road.[7] (now Acharya Satyendra Nath Basu Sarani).[2] This route was selected for expanding the Kolkata towards east. At first it was planned that there will be two branches, one to Bidhannagar (Karunamayi), another to Airport. However, residents of Bidhanngar were highly against of tram, so that extension was finally cancelled. The Airport extension was also cancelled later. On 31 December 1986, the route extension from Behala to Joka was completed via Diamond Harbour Road.[2] It was the first and only village extension of Kolkata tram network, for developing this area as a city. After opening this line, it was the longest tram route of Kolkata.[7]
Unfortunately, this opening created some controversy. The then transport minister Rabin Mukherjee was an MLA of Behala (West), where this route passed. When it was opened, it broke the election code of conduct, and so he was suspended from the post of transport minister before the election. He was a strong supporter of tram, and after his suspension, when new transport minister Shyamal Chakraborty joined, fast declining of Kolkata tram was started again after some years. All the remaining plans were also cancelled at that time.
Timeline
1902 - Khidirpur & Kalighat routes were electrified. Shobhabazar – Hatibagan connecting route opened. (Later route 9 & 10), alternative service was started from Shambazar to Dharmatala and Dalhousie Square via this route. Nonapukur Workshop opened with Royd Street – Nonapukur route opening (Later route 21 & 22 after re-extension). Direct tram service from Nonapukur to Dalhousie Square started. Royd Street – Park Street closed.
1903 – Shyambazar terminus opened with Shyambazar – Belgachhia route opened. (Later route 1, 2, 3, 4 & 11). Direct tram service from Belgachhia to Dharmatala & Dalhousie Square started. Kalighat – Tollyganj route opened (Later route 29 & 32). Direct tram service from Tollyganj to Dalhousie Square started.
1904 - Kumortuli – Bagbazar route opened. Kumortuli terminus closed. (Later route 7 & 8) Direct tram service was started from Bagbazar to Dharmatala and Dalhousie Square.
1905 - Howrah Bridge – Pagyapatti – Boipara – Purabi Cinema - Sealdah Station route opened (Later route 15). The connection was improved at Pageyapatti Junction and Boipara Junction for through running trams from Howrah Bridge to Dharmatala (Later route 21) and Howrah Bridge to Shyambazar (Later route 11). Semi Circular service from High Court to Esplanade via Sealdah started. All remaining then-opened routes were electrified.
1907 - Moula Ali – Nonapukur route opened (Later route 20 & 26 after extension). Direct tram service started from Nonapukur to Howrah Bridge. Wattganj – Mominpur route opened (via direct access through Orphanganjbazar). (Later route 31)
1908 - Shyambazar Junction – Galiff Street route opened (Later route 12). Howrah Station – Ghasbagan - Bandhaghat. (Later route 41 & 42) and Howrah Station – Shibpur route opened (Later route 40). Hazra Park – Mominpur – Behala old terminus route opened (via Majherhat old bridge). (Later route 27 & 35). Direct tram service started from Behala to Dharmatala and Behala to Kalighat. The connection was improved at Mominpur Junction for alternative service was started from Kalighat to Dharmatala and Dalhousie Square via this route. (Later route 31)
1910 - Sealdah Station – Mirzapur – Rajabazar route opened. (Later route 12) Direct tram service started from Rajabazar to Dharmatala. The connection was improved at Sealdah Junction for through running trams from Rajabazar to High Court. (Later route 14)
1926 - Orphanganjbazar direct access was replaced by present alignment via Wattganj Junction.
1927 - Racecourse terminus built for race special tram service.
1928 - Kalighat Junction – Ballyganj route opened. (Later route 24 & 27 extension). Direct tram service started from Ballyganj to Tollyganj, Behala, and Dalhousie Square.
1941 - Rajabazar – Shyambazar Junction route opened. (Later route 12 & 13). Direct tram service started from Galiff Street to Dharmatala & Dalhousie Square via Sealdah and/or Moula Ali, also some occasional tram service started from Belgachia to Rajabazar, Belgachia to Bagbazar route.
1943 - Howrah Bridge – Howrah Station (via Howrah Bridge) route opened. Route 11, 20, 21, 22, 30 & 32 were extended to Howrah Station. All tram routes which were running up to Howrah Bridge now started going directly up to Howrah station from Belgachhia, Galiff Street, Rajabazar, Park Circus, Tollygunge, and Kalighat. Occasional tram service also started from Howrah Station to Nimtala & High Court. Gariahat depot opened with Parkcircus – Gariahat Junction route opened (Later route 25 & 26). Direct tram service started from Ballygunge to Dharmatala & Howrah Station via Park Circus. This was the last tram extension in Kolkata before Indian Independence.
1952 - Dalhousie Square terminus redesigned, outside park tracks brought into the park.
1960 - Esplanade terminus redesigned.
1964 - Majherhat new bridge built.
1971 - Behala new terminus built. Howrah Station – Ghasbagan – Bandhaghat closed, Ghasbagan depot became a goods vehicle stock depot. (Route 41, 42). Howrah Station – Shibpur closed. (Route 40)
1976 - Howrah Station terminus redesigned after the closure of Bandhaghat & Shibpur route, converted to the private bus terminus and opening of the pedestrian subway. Racecourse terminus closed.
1978 - Esplanade – Planetarium - Hazra Park closed for conversion to metro line 1. All tram services from Tollyganj, Kalighat & some services from Ballyganj were started running via Mominpur & Wattganj.
1986 - Behala – Joka route opened. (Route 37)[7] Connection was improved at Maniktala Junction for through running trams from Belgachhia to Ultadanga.
1990–present: Later developments and mass closures
Planetarium terminus was constructed during construction of metro line 1The realigned former Howrah Station tram terminusHowrah Bridge tram terminus, former Burrabazar junction
Since 1990, losses of Kolkata tram started increasing, and to overcome this, it was thought by government that the entire tram network will be gradually replaced by bus, and lands of depot and terminus will be sold to promoters for construction of high-rise buildings. Calcutta Tramways Company introduced the bus service on 4 November 1992 with a fleet of 40 buses.[2] The Planetarium line was closed due to excuse of loss making. The terminus was converted to park, however tracks were still present until 2010, and masts are still present, now are being used by lamp posts.[7] After two years, The Howrah Station terminus closed, converted to bus terminus and the tram tracks were removed on Rabindra Setu the following year, since the world's busiest ageing cantilever bridge was not strong enough for trams. The routes which terminated there were moved back to the Burrabazar (Howrah Bridge) terminus (formerly Burrabazar Junction). Tram tracks from Howrah Bridge terminus to Metcalf Hall was also closed due to excuse of road repair, and all routes which were served this section was now diverted via Rabindra Sarani. However, in this year a new terminus in Ultadanga opened near Railway Station.[7]
The system had degraded by the 1990s, and Minister for Transport Shyamal Chakraborty planned to close the network. In 1995, the High Court terminus closed for the reconstruction of Strand Road. Rails and wires were removed from there and from Strand Road, Hare Street, and Shahid Khudiram Basu Road and it is now the site of the newest Kolkata High Court centenary building.[7] However, Melbourne tram conductor Roberto D'Andrea befriended fellow Calcutta conductors during a 1994 visit. When D'Andrea heard about the planned network closure, he suggested an art project to decorate the trams (as was done in his home city). The project increased public awareness of the network and its value, ultimately saving it at that time.[10]
However closures were continued. In 1998, the Gariahat Depot–Gariahat Junction link on Lila Roy Sarani closed for construction of the Gariahat overpass.[11] It was early planned to relaying tram tracks on two sides of the road under the overpass, but it was finally cancelled because of then Mayor Subrata Mukherjee. During his reign, tram network again got on threat of closure, because he was a strong anti-tram person. Four years later, the Mominpur–Behala route on Diamond Harbour Road closed for the construction of an overpass in Taratala.[7] Although it was initially planned to relaying tracks on the overpass after its completion, the road was later converted to a national highway and the plan was dismissed.
Mass Concretization
In 2004, state government decided to deserved all grass-bed reserved tracks from tram only operation, and replace it by concrete bed. Cobblestone bed tracks were also planned to replacing by concrete bed. For this reason, Shayambazar to Galiff Street section was closed, and modification of Shyambazar junction done by now tram service could continue from Rajabazar to Belgachia instead of Galiff Street. Rails and overhead lines were removed from part of the Bidhan Sarani route. In 2008, Binay Badal Dinesh Bag terminus was largely redesigned for construction of underground car parking.[7]
Place of former Behala terminus, closed for metro line 3Joka terminus was the newest terminus of Kolkata tram networkExit of former Bagbazar tram terminus
Since 2011, line 3 of Kolkata metro construction was started by elevated method. It was needed construction of pillars through the planned route from Majherhat to Joka, which was mostly served before by tram. So the Behala-Joka route closed for construction of the metro line 3. In next year, Bagbazar terminus was closed, due to a legal dispute, and the non-revenue section between Bagbazar and Galiff Street became regular route, and double tracked. Galiff Street Terminus was realigned, irregular service from Bagbazar to Galiff Street became regular service. The Lalbazar-Mirzapur down line was closed, but the up line remained.[7] In 2013, 'Charoibeti' and 'Rupasi Bangla', two AC trams, were manufactured at the Nonapukur workshop for heritage tours only.[12] A regular AC tram route would not start until 6 years later. On 30 September 2014, a tram, converted into a museum (Smaranika) in Esplanade, was opened to the public.[13] The Park Circus Depot closed for construction of the Maa Flyover in 2015 and the Nonapukur Depot/Workshop has started regular service; the Gariahat Depot remained.[7] The following year, the Ballygunge Station Depot next to Gariahat Mall also reopened and thus Kalighat/Rashbehari-Ballygunge Station stretch (via Gariahat) became active after 12 years.
Tram Museum (Smaranika) in Esplanade Tram TerminusPark Circus depot before it closed as tram depotBelgachhia depot before it closed as tram depotUltadanga terminus was the easternmost terminus of Kolkata's tram network
After the starting of the line 2 of Kolkata metro in 2017, all the Binay Badal Dinesh Bag bound tram routes have been closed for an indefinite time. Thus tram-plying along Sealdah (Purabi Cinema) Junction-Bowbazar Junction-Lalbazar Junction-BBD Bag, Galiff Street-Sovabazar Junction-Chitpur Junction-Lalbazar Junction, and Hatibagan Junction-Sovabazar Junction stretches has been stopped. The Wattgunge junction to Kalighat/Rashbehari Junction stretch has also been closed for an indefinite time since 2018, due to the Majherhat Bridge collapse and thus Tollygunge to Ballygunge Station bound tram route becomes an isolated one. In 2019, it was decided by All India Trinamool Congress government that no any tram service would be continued over any bridge, because tram could reduce the lifespan of bridges. After the decision of mayor Firhad Hakim and transport minister Shubhendu Adhikari, tram service was closed on Belgachia Bridge, Shyambazar Bridge, Maniktala Bridge, Kalighat Bridge & Sealdah Overpass. The tram trackbed renewal program became unfinished on Belgachia Bridge and Sealdah Overpass, and starting of tram track uprooting started on those bridges. Belgachia tram depot also has been converted to bus depot, despite the track renewal program inside the depot was just completed two months earlier, and thus tram-plying along Maniktala Junction-Shyambazar Junction-Belgachia and Shyambazar Tram Terminus-Shyambazar Junction stretches was closed in 2018.[14] In 2019, first A.C. tram route (AC-1) of Kolkata starts which runs between Esplanade and Shyambazar.[12] The state government decided to stop tram-plying on the 37 years old Sealdah Flyover (Vidyapati Setu), after the survey of the bridge-advisory committee officers in 2019 and thus tram-plying along the Mirzapur-Nonapukur, Purabi Cinema-Sealdah and Moulali-Subodh Chandra Mallik Square stretches has also been stopped.[15][16] State Government also decided to shut down tram-plying on Belgachia Bridge permanently due to the excessive load on the bridge.[17]In a press conference held in December 2023, the mayor Firhad Hakim has stated his intent to close down all the tram routes in the city except Route 36, which would be run as a truncated heritage line till Victoria Memorial. As of November 2024, the work is ongoing.
Timeline
1992 - Esplanade – Planetarium route reclosed. (Route 12A). Bus service introduced.
1994 - Howrah Station terminus closed and converted to public bus terminus. Route 11, 20 & 26 had come back to Howrah Bridge terminus. Metcalfe Hall – Howrah Bridge terminus closed. (Route 15, 21, 30 & 32 diversion). Ultadanga new terminus opened.
1995 - Dalhousie Square – Metcalfe Hall - High Court route closed. Route 14 had come back to Dalhousie Square terminus.
1998 - Gariahat Depot – Gariahat Junction route closed. (Route 25 & 26 had come back to Gariahat Depot)
CTC owns 257 trams (as of Sep. 2024), of which 125 used to run daily till 2011.[3] Each single-deck articulated car can carry 200 passengers (60 seated). But the number of trams sharply decreased due to government's negligence and now only 17 trams run daily (as of Sep. 2024).
The early horse-drawn cars and steel cars manufactured before 1952 were imported from England. Early trams were single-coach, similar to those in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kanpur. Triple-coach trams were tried without success. The later stock was the SLT type: double-coach with three doors, four wheels under each coach and no wheels between coaches. SLT trams had no front iron net but had a front-coach trolley pole. The both-end type had a front iron net and a rear-coach trolley pole. These were gradually replaced by articulated trams on all routes. The SLC type was introduced much later on the Bandhaghat line, and continued until its closure in 1971; after that, SLC trams began running on the Gariahat and Tollygunge lines on the Kolkata side.
Two trams were recently renovated with front and back glass, fluorescent lights, FM radio, digital display boards, angled seats, and a fibreglass ceiling. The Nonapukur workshop began manufacturing 19 new trams from 2008 to 2010, of which four were nearing completion. The roof is clear polycarbonate sheeting with a wide window, and it has comfortable seating and better visibility from within. The workshop is also renovating steel-body (BSCL) cars. With plans for banquet-cafeteria[18] and air-conditioned trams to attract commuters and foreign tourists (increasing CTC revenue), a single-coach, air-conditioned banquet tram has been introduced for heritage tours of North Kolkata in the morning and South Kolkata in the evening.[19] Although the air-conditioned tram had poor ridership when it was introduced,[20] more air-conditioned trams have since been introduced.[3] These include a tram restaurant (Victoria)[21] and the world's first shopping (glam) tram[22] and library tram.[23]
Rolling stock classification
Horse Trams - The service was started with this class in 1873. Horse drawn cars were withdrawn gradually after electrification of the network from 1902.
Steam Trams - Steam propelled trams were introduced as a substitute to horse-drawn trams and withdrawn within a very short period after electrification of the system.
J Class / Single coach (old) Trams - The J Class trams were 4 Axled Single Car Trams numbered from 301 to 306.
K Class Trams - The K Class trams (often called the English Cars) were articulated 6 axled wooden trams manufactured between 1931 and 1939. These trams were numbered between 307 and 489.
L Class Trams - The L Class trams (often affectionately called the Hatigari or Elephant Car) were Streamlined articulated trams manufactured between 1942 and 1951 at the Nonapukur Workshop. These trams were numbered between 490 and 559. The L class trams were one of the most iconic types of trams to have ever ran on Kolkata's streets, it had extra overhand both at its front and rear.
Pay As You Enter or PAYE Trams- after the closure of the Bombay (now Mumbai) tramways in 1964, CTC obtained 45 sets of maximum-traction trucks and controllers from Bombay Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST). These running units were used in a class of six experimental Pay As You Enter (PAYE) trams. The prototype (201) was built in 1965, and 202-203 followed in 1966, with 204 - 206 being added in 1967. In about 1970 the PAYE system was dropped and the trams were modified to conventional layout with roving rather than seated conductors, and the entrances at the ends of the trams were sealed.
Sundari Trams - Sundari trams were wooden articulated trams similar to the K Class built in 1976 - 77. These trams were numbered between 561 and 587. The chief difference was that these trams were fitted out as double first-class cars. This feature also won the trams their alternative title of "De Luxe" trams. The double headlamps gave way to a single unit but, on the other hand, the blue and white livery was adorned with black and white flashes on the dash, and black and white chevrons on the fenders and trolley poles, and a glass windscreen.
Burn Standard made tram
Burn standard Trams – After many years of SLC and articulated trams, rolling stock arrived from Burn Standard India which is stronger, heavier and faster than earlier designs and reversed the declining public perception of trams in the city. The improved stock began running throughout the city on all routes. The Burn standard Trams were delivered between 1982 and 1989, and were numbered between: A- 207 to 281, B- 291 to 299, C- 600 to 659 and D- 701 to 725.
Jessop Trams- The Jessop & Company made trams were sleeker than the Burn standard in design and were delivered between 1988 and 1989 and were numbered between 681 and 700. This was the last original fleet added to the system other than refurbished cars. Some of them were modified with front glass; some were modified to resemble Melbourne's B-class trams with fluorescent lights, back glass and double ends.
New fibreglass made tram
Fibre Body Trams – Before the introduction of the single-coach tram in December 2012, this was the last new rolling stock. Refurbished in the *Nonapukur Workshop*, various L Class, Burn standard and Jessop trams were completely torn down and refurbished from scratch. Some were modified with front glass; one was modified with fluorescent lights, FM radio, digital advertising and route boards. These refurbished cars were built between 2008 and 2011.
Single-coach (new) – Introduced on 24 December 2012, they were reportedly faster and more manoeuvrable than double-coach trams; the carriage is longer than those in double-coach trams.[24] More single-coach trams were planned across the city (including air-conditioned coaches), possibly replacing double-coach trams and enabling some closed routes to reopen.[25]
Kolkata Tram system has a central workshop at Nonapukur, kolkata, referred to as Nonapukur Workshop, which makes tram components and assemble, repair, service, refurbrish trams. The workshop can also produce brand new trams.[26]
Tram Depots
Kalighat – 1881 to still running, tram depot. (Route 30,31,24/30, 30/36)
Khidirpur – 1883 to still running, tram & bus depot (Route 36, 29/36, 30/36)
Belgachhia – 1903 to 2019 = 116 years, now bus depot. (Route 1, 2, 3, 4, 11)
Tollygunge – 1903 to still running, tram & bus depot. (Route 29, 32, 24/29)
Ghasbagan – 1908 to 1971 = 63 years, now bus depot. (Route 41, 42)
Rajabazar – 1910 to still running, tram & bus depot. (Route 12,14)
Park Circus – 1925 to 2016 = 91 years, now a bus depot. (Route 20, 21, 22)
Gariahat – 1943 to still running, now tram & Electric bus depot. (Route 25, 26)
Terminus
Dalhousie Square – 1881, suspended as tram terminus. (Route 2,4,6,8,13,14,16,22,24,25,29,30)
Sealdah Station – 1881 to 1981 = 100 years, now parking lot. (Route 14)
Esplanade – 1881 to Present, now tram & bus terminus. (Route 5 and 25)
High Court – 1882 to 1995 = 91 years, now annex building of high court. (Route 14,15)
Nimtala – 1882 to 1973 = 91 years, now a street. (Route 19)
Shyambazar - 1903 to Present, tram terminus. (Route 5)
Bagbazar – 1904 to 2012 = 108 years, now a godown. (Route 7,8)
Galiff Street – 1908, temporarily suspended as terminus (?) for construction of metro line 2. (Route 12,13, 50)
Howrah Station – 1908 to 1994 = 86 years, now bus terminus. (Route 11,12A, 18,20,21,26,28,30,32,40,41,42)
Bandhaghat – 1908 to 1971 = 63 years, now a street. (Route 41,42)
Shibpur – 1908 to 1971 = 63 years, now a street. (Route 40)
Behala - 1908 to 2011 = 103 years, now a street. (Route 27,35)
Racecourse - 1927 to 1976 = 49 years, now a street.
Ballygunge - 1928 to Present, tram terminus. (Route 24/29)
Planetarium - 1979 to 1992 = 13 years, now a park. (Route 12A)
Ultadanga - 1985 to 2020 = 35 years, now abandoned. (Route 16,17,18)
Joka - 1986 to 2011 = 25 years (Route 37), now bus terminus.
On 3 December 2012, a seven-year-old was killed by a tram entering the Ultadanga depot. The boy was reportedly playing near the tracks when the tram approached and it struck him, before the brakes could be fully applied.[31]
A bus driver attempted to overtake a tram on 31 January 2013. The rear of the bus grazed the tram, amputating a bus passenger's arm. The man was rushed to the hospital for his arm to be reattached.[32]
On 19 June 2014, a driverless tram struck 10 cars. No fatalities or injuries were reported.[33]
Present-day advocacy and awareness
Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) is an apolitical organization created in December 2016 and registered under the Society Act, formed by tramway users and advocating for the tramways of Kolkata since 2016.[34][35]
In popular culture
Several movies have been shot on the Kolkata tram network and in its depots:[26]
Howrah railway station is a railway station located in the city of Howrah, West Bengal at Kolkata metropolitan region,India. It is the largest and busiest railway complex in India, as well as one of the busiest and largest train stations in the world. It is also the oldest surviving railway complex in India. Howrah is one of the five large intercity railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the others being Sealdah, Santragachi, Shalimar and Kolkata railway station.
Sealdah Railway Station (SDAH) is one of India's major railway terminals serving the city of Kolkata. It is the second largest railway station in India and West Bengal in terms of platforms, tracks and overall daily passenger holding capacity. It is one of the five large railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the others being Howrah, Shalimar, Kolkata and Santragachi. Over 1.5 million passengers use the station on a daily basis. It is an important suburban rail terminal of Kolkata Suburban Railway. Also the Green line of Kolkata Metro passes through it with the new underground Sealdah metro station.
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.
Chowringhee Road, located in the Chowringhee neighbourhood of Kolkata, is the arterial road running from the eastern fringes of Esplanade southwards up to the crossing with Lower Circular Road, in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is the single most important road of the metropolis of Kolkata. It was officially renamed as Jawaharlal Nehru Road after Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, but the original name Chowringhee Road is used commonly.
Maniktala is a residential area of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India.
Behala is a locality of South West Kolkata in South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Behala is a part of Kolkata Municipal Corporation area. It is broadly spread across Ward Nos. 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131 and 132 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and is divided into two Vidhan Sabha constituencies: Behala Paschim and Behala Purba. This area is served by the South West Division of Kolkata Police also known as Behala Division.
Kolkata is located in the eastern part of India. It has spread linearly along the banks of the Hooghly River. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has an area of 205 square kilometres. The city is near sea level, with the average elevation being 17 feet. The whole area is in the Ganges Delta which starts within 100 km south of the city. Most of the city was originally marshy wetlands, remnants of which can still be found especially towards the eastern parts of the city.
Kolkata the Capital of the Indian state of West Bengal has a good transportation system. Kolkata's transport system is diverse, with a mix of modern and traditional modes of transport catering to the city's large population.
Kolkata Circular Railway, also known as the Kolkata Chakra Rail, is a 36.20 km (22.49 mi) long railway loop line operated by the Sealdah division of the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways, encircling the city of Kolkata.
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.
Chitpur is a neighbourhood in North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sometimes, the entire area along Chitpur Road is referred to as Chitpur, although the various localities have distinctive names.
Shyambazar is a neighbourhood of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The area, under Shyampukur police station of Kolkata Police, has been, along with neighbouring Bagbazar, the citadel of the Bengali aristocracy, in a part of what was earlier known as Sutanuti. and the popularity of Shyambazer five point crossing is for the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Dharmatala is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Dharmatala Street has been renamed after Lenin as Lenin Sarani but the neighbourhood up to Wellington Square continues to be referred as Dharmatala. It is a busy commercial area that had come up with the growth of Calcutta during the British Raj and is thus one of the repositories of history in the city.
Rajabazar is a locality situated in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Geographically, it lies between CIT Road and APC Road, with the neighborhood developing around Narkeldanga Main Road, now renamed Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani, which connects CIT Road and APC Road. Consequently, Rajabazar is positioned between Maniktala, Narkeldanga, and Sealdah.
Joka is a locality in South Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is a part of greater Behala region. This place is mostly known for Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and ESIC Medical College and Hospital.
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road and its continuation northwards called Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, are together the longest and the most important north-south thoroughfare in Kolkata, India.
The Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC) office is a statutory organization under the Department of Transport, established in 1969 for the construction of Vidyasagar Setu.
Belepole is a neighbourhood in Howrah of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Belepole is under the jurisdiction of Chatterjeehat Police Station of Howrah City Police. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). It is an urban sprawl which sprung up near the old localities of South Howrah, like Bhattacharjee Para, Chatterjeehat etc. It is located near Shibpur. It has excellent communication and transportation facilities owing to its location, its life line is Kona Expressway which connects it to the Vidyasagar Setu and hence Kolkata is just 15 minutes away. It is close to the State administrative building Nabanna.
East West Metro Tunnel is an underwater river tunnel of Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal. The river tunnel is constructed underneath Hooghly River. It is the biggest underwater river tunnel of India, which is made for metro rail service. The East West Metro Tunnel length is 10.8 km (6.7 mi) and width is 5.5 metres. A 520 m stretch of the tracks goes through a tunnel under the Hooghly River. The roof of the tunnel is about 30 metres from the ground level. The tunnel was completed in 2021. The tunnel is used by East West Metro Line for metro rail service by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation and it was constructed by Afcons Infrastructure.
Lake Gardens is a neighbourhood of South Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. It has Kalighat to the north, Jodhpur Park to the east, Prince Anwar Shah Road or Tollygunge to the south and Charu Market to the west.
Niyogi, S. Shake, rattle & roll. The Sunday Story, Sunday Times of India, Kolkata, 25 June 2006. Available on Times of India e-paper (paid subscription required as of 2010[update]).
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Kolkata, India 
