T for Trams – Kolkata Chronicles

I grew up in the Kalighat-Rashbehari region of Kolkata – one of the busiest part of the city with all kinds of vehicles at our disposal – the bus, auto, metro, taxi. But, the one that fascinated me the most. Trams. As a kid, it was astonishing to see a ‘train’ – little shorter – running at its own pace, with the driver in his little cubicle, standing tall and steering the train through heavy traffic amidst the fast moving vehicles on the congested road of Kolkata!

The romance of trams that has been immortalized in celluloid since Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar to the recent Mani Ratnam’s Yuva and Kahaani has finely etched in the character of the city and gels well with the ‘lyadh’ favoring city in its nature. They may be slow and messy with the overhead wires, but, for me they are the symbol of an era forgone, icon old-world. When things were more laid back and relaxed and people were not always pushed around and bullied to win an unknown rat race. It is a peek into the old diary of a veteran to soak oneself in the flavor of the majestic heritage. Gazing out through the tram windows will surely make you feel as if you are living the moment back in time, slowly passing through the ruckus of the fast moving modern age.

The epochal tramcars which made its first appearance in 1880, were hauled by horses in the beginning through the serpentine roads of Calcutta. It wasn’t until 1905 the electric ones were introduced, the first electric tramcar to run in Asia. Over the next decade, the tram ran through several routes that included the Esplanade to Sealdah route, the Esplanade to Bagbazar route, the Howrah Station to Bandhaghat route and many more. In 1946, when the iconic Howrah bridge opened for the commoners, the tram became the first vehicle to run over the newly constructed gigantic steel body. As time went by, the tram routes spread like a web all around the city and beyond and it was one of the most preferred way of transport by the middle class Kolkata citizen. It was cheap mode of transport and clean and eco friendly.

Running on lines embedded on grass patches, the trams would run on with twinkling bells, the signal stoppage and continuing of rides. With the advent of other modes of transport like the metro and the need for faster commute, the trams have started losing its popularity since the 90s. In Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, and Chennai where trams were introduced too by the British, they have long gone obsolete. But trams in Kolkata trudge on exuding the old-world charm and refuse to roll down into the sunset especially due to the sentimental value. The numbers of trams may have come down to 40 from the erstwhile 450, but, they are far from finished. Yes, it is an eye sore for many a fast drive loving people, but they still exist as the fine memories of Calcutta. Especially due to its heritage value and the emotional attachment with the city. A trip to Kolkata is incomplete without a Tram ride. Also, to uphold the legacy if Tramways, CTC has renovated and converted a 1938 built tram car which is still operational, into a tram museum, at the Esplanade Tram depot which had witnessed the first electric Tram ride in Asia.

So add the tram ride and a visit to the museum, which is called the Smaranika for your next visit to the city of charms. Because sometime old is indeed gold.

Note: This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge.