150 Years of Kolkata Trams: The End of an Era

Kolkata, a city steeped in history, is set to witness the curtain fall on one of its most iconic symbols—the tram. For over 150 years, the Kolkata tram has been a vital mode of transport and a cultural touchstone, but now, this heritage transport is on the brink of discontinuation.

The city’s trams, once a primary mode of commuting, have seen a gradual decline in usage. With the advent of buses, taxis, and more recently, app-based cab services, the trams have been struggling to keep pace. Kolkata’s famous trams, which were first introduced in 1873, initially ran on horse-drawn carriages before being electrified in 1902. Since then, they have witnessed the changing face of the city, from colonial times through India’s independence, to modern-day urban sprawl.

Once sprawling across the city, the tram routes have been systematically reduced over the past few decades. Today, only a handful of routes remain, and many of these have been operating intermittently due to various infrastructural challenges. Despite its eco-friendly credentials and a strong push from heritage activists to preserve them, the trams are being phased out due to issues like high maintenance costs, outdated infrastructure, and competition from faster modes of transport.

For many Kolkatans, the discontinuation of trams feels like the loss of a piece of the city’s soul. The rattle of the tram as it winds through the narrow streets, the leisurely pace it offers, and the nostalgia it evokes for an older, slower Kolkata are irreplaceable.

As Kolkata’s trams prepare to take their final ride, the city bids farewell to a significant chapter in its transportation history—a piece of heritage that will be dearly missed.