Kolkata tram is arguably one of the hallmarks of this city and Kolkata happens to be the last place of tram commutation in India. The tram routes do no cover all places like the buses but they offer a comfortable alternative than many other modes of transportation. The electric tramways in Kolkata were introduced way back in 1902. The trams in Kolkata are run by the Calcutta Tram Company.
The chief area covered by tram routes include the Belgachia, Esplanade, Shyambazar, Bagbazar, Gallif Street, Raja Bazar, Bidhan Nagar, B.B.D. Bag, Park Circus, Howrah Bridge, Ballygunge Station, Tollygunge, Kalighat, Behala, Khidderpore and Joka. They cover many other places, but the places mentioned above house the tram depots as well. Passengers may either get up from the depot or they can even board the tram mid way. There are no proper tram stops but they are halted at convenient points for the passengers to get up. All the trams have two compartments. The passengers have to buy the tickets from the tram conductors after boarding the tram. The tickets of the first compartment cost more than the tickets of the second compartment.
The Kolkata Tram Numbers and Their Final Depots
Belgachia to BBD Bag: Tram Number 2 and 4
Belgachia to Howrah: 11
Belgachia to Esplanade: Tram Number 1
Shaymbazar to BBD Bag: 10
Shyambazar to Esplanade: 5
Esplanade to Joka: 37
Esplanade to Behala: 35
Esplanade to Khidderpore: 36
Galif Street To Esplanade: 12 and 13
Bagbazar to BBD Bag: 8
Kalighat to Howrah Bridge: 30
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Raja Bazar to Howrah Bridge: 15/12
Raja Bazar to BBD Bag: 14
Bidhan Nagar to Esplanade: 17
Bidhan Nagar to BBD Bag: 16
Park Circus- Bidhan Nagar: 20/17
Park Circus to BBD Bag: 22
Park Circus to Galif Street: 20/12
Ballygunge Station to B B D Bag: 25
Ballygunge Station to B B D Bag: 24
Ballygunge Station to Behala: 27
Ballygunge Station to Tollygunge: 24/29
Ballygunge Station to Howrah Bridge: 26
Controversy Regarding Calcutta Tramway
It was decided by the government sometimes back that the tramway would be dismissed and all tramlines would be abandoned. The decision was taken because according to some, the trams were too slow moving and caused traffic commotion. Also, the expense of the maintenance was unreasonably high. However, in of favor of the argument that they caused least pollution and were comfortable modes of transport, they have been maintained. In fact, the tramlines, all over Kolkata underwent recent renovations.
History of Trams in Kolkata
The first tram in Kolkata was introduced in 1873, on the 24th of February. They were horse drawn trams, which would ply passengers between Armenian Ghat and the Sealdah Station. The electric tams of Kolkata were introduced in 1902 on the 27th of March and by 1905, all the trams in Kolkata were run by electricity. Till 1951, the trams of Kolkata were managed by the London Tram Company. After this, the Government of India took over the management in 1972 after passing the Calcutta Tramway Act.
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