Global InformationTrams in Kolkata information
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
| Kolkata Tramway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 A modern tram at Esplanade terminus | |||
 A vintage tram moving through the streets | |||
| Overview | |||
| Owner | Government of West Bengal | ||
| Locale |  Kolkata, India | ||
| Transit type | Tram | ||
| Number of lines | 3[1] | ||
| Daily ridership | 15,000 daily[2] | ||
| Website | Calcutta Tramways | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 1873 (electrification since 1902)[3] | ||
| Operator(s) | West Bengal Transport Corporation | ||
| Reporting marks | WBTC (formerly CTC) | ||
| Number of vehicles | 257 trams (35 in operation)[4] | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 19.53 km | ||
| Track gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)[3] | ||
| Electrification | 550 V DC Overhead line, Trolleypole | ||
| |||
The tram system in Kolkata, the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal, operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) after Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) was dissolved, is the oldest tram network operating in India, and oldest operating tramway in Asia.[5] Started in 1902, it is the oldest electric tramway in India.[6] It is the only operating tram network of India at present.[7]
The network initially had up to 37 lines in the 1960s,[8] but has gradually reduced over the years with only two lines currently operating due to financial struggles, poor maintenance, low ridership, addition of road flyovers, expansion of the Kolkata Metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space. As per WBTC which maintains the existing tram lines, two routes (24/29 and 25) had been running regularly, with very irregular and limited service on the other five routes (36, 5, 18, 11, 15/12).[9][10] As of January 2023[update], only the two regular routes are in service with the service on other routes shut down.[11]
Due to these issues, there have been occasional talks of either shutting down the network permanently or lowering operations of the system.[citation needed] However, the system is also considered environmentally friendly and an icon of Kolkata, so there have also been recent efforts to sustain the system with newer trams.
- ^ "Tram Routes – CTC".
- ^ Das, Soumya (12 May 2018). "Kolkata's famed trams slowly drive into history". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ a b "History – CTC". Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "Bankrupt CTC to introduce two more AC trams". The Times of India. 14 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013.
- ^ "Reaching India". New Delhi: Times Internet Limited. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ "Kolkata trams to get a GenX makeover". The Times of India. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ^ "Asia's Only Tram Service Celebrates 150 Years". Outlook (Indian magazine). Outlook Publishing India Pvt. Ltd. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (23 July 2020). "Kolkata's historic trams trundle once more". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Tram Service". wbtc.co.in. WBTC. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "The Tram Routes of Kolkata". ctua.in. CTUA. Retrieved 27 January 2023.3.4 km
- ^ Dey, Shreyashi (9 December 2022). "Last trams standing—Kolkata citizens are pushing hard to keep them running". theprint.in. The Print. Retrieved 9 January 2023.