Kolkata’s enduring legacy completes 152 years on February 24th, but this heritage on wheels is slowly chugging into history
In the heart of Kolkata, amid the relentless symphony of honking cars, speeding motorcycles and hurried footsteps, quiet defiance glides through the streets — graceful, unyielding, and steeped in history. The Kolkata Tram, Asia’s oldest operational tram transport system, has silently witnessed 152 years of transformation — from the days of British colonial rule to India’s independence and the rapid urbanisation of today.
Once the city’s lifeline, it now fights for relevance, caught between nostalgia and modernity. Yet, trams remain a proven, efficient mode of transport, experiencing a resurgence in cities worldwide. For Kolkata, however, they are more than just a means of commute — they are a living testament to the city’s industrial heritage, a legacy its people refuse to let fade into oblivion.
Ride Through History
Trams first appeared in Kolkata in 1873, introduced by the British as a horse-drawn system connecting the Sealdah Railway Station and the Armenian Ghat of the Hooghly River. By 1902, Trams became electric-powered, marking a significant technological leap. Over the next few decades, the tram network expanded rapidly, covering major parts of the city and providing an efficient, organic means of transport that was safe, comfortable and economical.
By the mid-20th century, trams had become an inseparable part of Kolkata’s densely populated identity, along with the flashy yellow taxis. With their slow but steady pace, they allowed passengers to soak in the city’s colonial-era architecture, tree-lined avenues, and bustling markets. For many, a tram ride was more than just a shuttle — it was an enriching experience that needed to be endured and enjoyed, like an embrace, while it ran on embossed metallic lines on the city tarmac. The euphonical sounds emitted while on the move are like a walk on an esplanade, the literal meaning of rambling on a long path
I took my first Tram journey in 1997 and my next in 2007 while in Calcutta to work with a Fortune 500 company. Both were exhilarating experiences.
A decade later, in 2017, I returned to the city for work once again. This time, I turned my visit into a tram-hopping adventure accompanied by a total stranger who was a retired banker. For three hours, we travelled aimlessly, completely unconcerned about my destination and eavesdropping on peoples’ chatter. I randomly bought tickets, boarded as many trams and visited as many tram depots as I could in a single day merely soaking in the exuberance of sprawling tram stations where they were parked like white elephants in massive stables.
The Kolkata Tram, Asia’s oldest operational Tram transport system, has silently witnessed 152 years of transformation — from the days of British colonial rule to India’s independence and the rapid urbanisation of today
In the past three months, I visited Kolkata three times just to get romantic with the trams. Each visit brought me the joy of tram travel but with a tinge of disappointment — the trams were now scarce, and long waits were inevitable. On one such tram ride to Esplanade, I met Arica Francis, a first-time visitor to Kolkata. Enthralled by her experience, she exclaimed, “A tram has more character and charisma than any other form of transport! If I had the money and means, I’d buy a tram and turn it into a cosy home.”
The Gradual Decline
Despite their dwindling numbers, Kolkata’s trams still have passionate advocates. Environmentalists champion their revival as a sustainable alternative to fuel-guzzling, smoke-belching vehicles, while heritage conservationists view them as more than just transport. For them, they are living history, a cultural treasure worth preserving, as emphasised by staunch tram enthusiast Sagnik Gupta who educated me on the history of every tram we saw at one of the defunct depots. Many were imported from far off London in massive ships and some were ‘made in India’ but all of them had a magnetism of their own.
As Kolkata grudgingly marches towards the future, the question remains: will the city’s trams be recommissioned as an enduring symbol of heritage, or will they fade into history like so many other relics of the past?
Efforts to modernise the tram system have seen the introduction of a few air-conditioned trams, a static tram turned into a cafeteria and even a mobile library, allowing citizens to enjoy a ‘ride and read’ experience. However, these initiatives remain limited, and the future of Kolkata’s trams hangs by a slim thread of uncertainty.
Encouragingly, tramway revivals are gaining momentum globally, driven by their economic success. Positioned between expensive metro systems and low-investment buses, modern trams offer high-quality service at a moderate cost. In Kolkata’s case, the advantage lies in its existing infrastructure — all it needs is a decisive push.
Whether from the government or influential business houses like the Tatas, a committed effort to revive and retrofit the trams with modern, accessible features could breathe new life into the system. The key lies in engaging the public and fostering a renewed appreciation for this historic mode of transport.
Trams in a Changing City
In a rapidly modernising Kolkata, where glass skyscrapers and metro rail extensions are reshaping the skyline, the tram remains an oddity — both loved and ignored. While some see it as a relic of a slower, more graceful time, others view it as an impractical inconvenience in a city constantly racing against time. Rat race is a way of life, in which people of modern society are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth, power and other ingredients and in the process sacrificing human health.
As Kolkata grudgingly marches towards the future, the question remains: will the city’s trams be recommissioned as an enduring symbol of heritage, or will they fade into history like so many other relics of the past? Will the citizens of Kolkata and even Indians fight for its survival or revival, or will it be administered euthanasia status? Only time will tell us the tectonic truth.
Debasish Bhattacharyya, a retired scientist, a passionate tram fanatic and the President of the Calcutta Tramways Users Association (CTUA), explicitly explains, “It is the consensus opinion of the citizens that the story of sabotage of the Calcutta Tramways starts from and ends into corruptions. The tram depots are huge, and they are located in the prime areas of the city next to the main arteries. The British originally purchased large parcels of land in view of the expansion of the tram system with the future in context.”
He further elaborates that the abolition of the tramways will bring happiness to unscrupulous policymakers in two ways. Defunct tram depots will be sold to the real estate agents — the process is already on. The High Court judiciously asked the question of why multi-storeyed buildings are there in tram depots. Town planners are concerned that once the land is sold, in the future, there remains no scope to rebuild tram depots next to the tracks.
Secondly, tram riders will be compelled to use autorickshaws, which invariably enjoy illegal activities supported by someone or the other. The President of CTUA concludes by saying: “Withholding corruption, one cannot explain the removal of tramways at a time when it is globally accepted that modern trams are the A-grade mass carrier in urban agglomerations.”
I swiftly ruminated on that aspect because, in Australia, the dying tram systems saw a strong revival due to a mix of nostalgia, sustainability efforts and urban renewal projects. Kolkata can do and maybe other Indian cities will implement it. For me, and many other tram devotees, one thing is certain — every time a tram rumbles and rattles through the streets, it carries with it not just passengers but the echoes of a century-old journey. As the trams complete 152 years of journey, they definitely deserve to continue as an effective mode of mass transport and as heritage on wheels.
On the Silver Screen
Indian cinema has a rich history of featuring trams, especially in films set in Kolkata, where trams are an iconic part of the city’s landscape. These films not only utilise trams as a mode of transportation but also as a storytelling device, reflecting the cultural and historical essence of their settings. Here are some notable Indian movies that have incorporated Trams into their sequences:
- Apur Sansar (1959): Directed by Satyajit Ray, the third instalment of the Apu Trilogy captures various facets of Kolkata, including its tramways, symbolising the protagonist’s journey
- Mahanagar (1963): Also by Satyajit Ray, this film portrays the life of a middle-class family in Kolkata, with trams serving as a backdrop to the city’s daily hustle
- Yuva (2004): Directed by Mani Ratnam, it features sequences with trams, capturing the essence of Kolkata’s urban landscape
- Parineeta (2005): A period romance that beautifully integrates trams into its narrative, showcasing Kolkata’s colonial charm
- Calcutta News (2008): This Malayalam film uses trams to depict the city’s unique atmosphere
- Ek Tha Tiger (2012): While not set in India, this Bollywood action film features a notable fight sequence aboard Dublin’s Luas tram system
- Kahaani (2012): This thriller, starring Vidya Balan, extensively showcases Kolkata’s trams, adding authenticity to its setting
- Barfi! (2012): Anurag Basu’s film features Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, with several scenes set against the backdrop of trams, enhancing its nostalgic charm
- Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015): Set in the 1940s, this detective film authentically recreates Kolkata’s ambiance, with trams playing a significant role in depicting the era
- Piku (2015): Starring Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan, this film includes scenes with Trams, highlighting everyday life in Kolkata
