Trams of Kolkata

This is for sure among many things, Trams are the one which welcomes you to the city of joy, Kolkata. Still even after 135 years of service. Trams are the life line of Kolkata. This is still be the mode of communication for the people. Trams going by the side of you in the road amazed me all the times. From Calcutta to Kolkata, Trams traversed a long journey with lots of ups and downs. There are times, goverment raised voices to discontinue the Trams service but no one favoured. Kolkata is the place where Rabindranath, Netaji, Mother Terasa lives in the soul of everyone.

A very well known saying about Kolkata, 12 maase 13 parbon. It means, in 12 months, 13 festivals. So only we called City of Joy, Land of Festivals.

Also one thing I found in Kolkata, this city is very resistant to change. Being the status of metro city, this city also tried all possible possibilities. Still this city lacks IT infrastructure and big industries.

Being in movie or novel, you will definitely find the mention on Trams, a signature of Kolkata.

According to wikipedia, the Calcutta Tramways Company (1978) Limited (CTC) is a West Bengal, India, government-run company which runs trams in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) and buses in and around Kolkata. The Kolkata tram is the oldest operating electric tram in Asia, running since 1902,and currently the only tramway in India.

It started it's journey in 1880. In 1880, the Calcutta Tramway Co. Ltd was formed and registered in London on 22 December. Metre-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.

The first attempt was made in February 24, 1873 to run tramaway service between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street but discontinued soon.

 Jill Jones mentioned in his peom,

It is flat here, and the trams
regularly sway within their wires and rails,
nosing their way, numbered, and you count
off the stops, in your own sway,
ancipating but hopeful that you will
get there before you panic, seeing
too far across flat-board suburbs

Photo: Goutam Mandal