Farewell to Kolkata's Trams: The Last Days of a 151-Year Legacy

In October 2024, Kolkata was hit with the bittersweet news that their city’s trams, beloved and historic, would be largely discontinued. For over 150 years, these trams rattled through narrow lanes, connecting markets, homes, and historic spots, making them an integral part of Kolkata’s character. But times are changing, and the challenges facing these trams seem to have grown too large for the old system to overcome.

A Ride Through Time

Kolkata’s trams first appeared in 1873, initially drawn by horses and later modernised in 1902 to become Asia’s first electric tram system. The city, with its unique blend of colonial architecture, narrow streets, and bustling bazaars, provided the perfect backdrop for the iconic blue-and-white trams. For generations, they symbolised a slower, more reflective pace of life, a far cry from today’s bustling metros and fast-moving highways.

By the 20th century, the tram routes spanned 37 lines, crisscrossing the city and linking neighbourhoods in ways that no other mode of transport could. But as the years went on, cars, buses, and, most recently, metro lines became the favoured methods of getting around, leaving the trams less used and harder to maintain.

Why the Trams Are Ending

Kolkata’s roads cover just 6% of the city’s land area, much less than cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The narrow streets are already crowded with traffic, and trams moving at their gentle pace began causing congestion during peak hours. The West Bengal government recognised this challenge, deciding that the time had come to focus on modern, faster transport options to meet the needs of today’s commuters.

The city has been expanding its underground metro, investing in electric buses and cars to reduce pollution and improve traffic flow. Many tram depots also occupy prime real estate that could be redeveloped or sold to fund other public works. Although the trams have a soft spot in the hearts of many Kolkatans, the government sees their decline as a practical step forward.

A Final Tribute: The Heritage Route

Not all of Kolkata’s trams will be disappearing. A single, scenic heritage route between Esplanade and Maidan will remain. This short loop will allow residents and visitors to experience a taste of the tram’s history, passing landmarks like the Victoria Memorial amidst greenery and city sights. It’s a thoughtful nod to the nostalgia of generations who grew up with the trams, and it serves as a reminder of Kolkata’s unique cultural fabric.

The Calcutta High Court has also taken steps to preserve these trams in some form. An advisory committee has been formed to explore ways to maintain and restore them, and ideas like a public-private partnership model are under discussion. However, the details are still evolving, and many residents feel that more could be done to preserve this iconic piece of the city.

A City’s Farewell

To say goodbye to Kolkata’s trams is to say farewell to more than a mode of transport. It’s parting with a symbol of the city’s past—a past where life moved at a gentler pace and where the familiar clatter of trams was part of daily life.

Even as Kolkata moves into a faster, more modern future, the spirit of these trams will linger, remembered by those who rode them daily and celebrated by the generations to come who will still catch a glimpse of them on their heritage route.