Hi, my LG friends
Today, December 22, 2025, marks a historic milestone for Kolkata as we celebrate the 145th Anniversary of the Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC). It was on this very day in 1880 that the company was officially formed and registered in London, laying the foundation for what would become an inseparable part of Kolkata’s soul.
The tram is not just a mode of transport; it is a “living museum” on wheels. From the era of horse-drawn carriages to the modern electric cars we see today, the CTC has witnessed the city grow from the capital of British India to the vibrant “City of Joy.”
12, RN Mukherjee Rd, Chowringhee North, Lal Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
My journey to celebrate the 145th anniversary of CTC.
Few picture inside the tram at Shyambazar to Esplanade route -
History -
If the Howrah bridges, Victoria Memorials of this 300-year-old Charnock’s city reveal the rich historical past and grandeur, then can the trams, which are christened as the ‘lifelines of the city’ be left behind? certainly not. Ever since the first tram which rolled out in the tracks way back in Feb 24th, 1873, this sturdy built electrically driven carriage has gone through the wears & tears with the ravages of time, carving out our golden phases of history. Braving out the illustrious moments of our Indian freedom struggle, World wars, Kolkata tram has come a long way and still its wheels continue to pave its way as a rail witness of the present era, and hopefully for the future too. Having nurtured the rich heritage of this city of joy, the Kolkata tramway has itself turned into a unique heritage of its own with a different essence.
Down the memory lane, when the tram made its maiden journey from Sealdah to Armenian ghat, It left everyone spellbound. In the course of time, the trams have gone through vast modernisations, but still it has rolled down Having witnessed our glorious past in the rails, this tireless heritage has itself unfurled another golden chapter in our historical book. No doubt the Kolkata tram can be designated as a priceless pride, having served as a rail witness from the era of Governor Generals, maharajas, to our present Kolkata & without which the Kolkata history would remain incomplete. Kolkata Tramways-‘ wheels that write & sights our glorious past, present & our future too’
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Key Highlights of the CTC Journey:
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Early Days (1870s-1900)
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1873: The first horse-drawn tram ran briefly between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat.
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1880: The Calcutta Tramways Company was registered in London, and a meter-gauge horse-drawn system restarted, operating until 1882.
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1882: Steam locomotives were experimentally used to haul trams.
Electrification & Expansion (1900s-1940s)
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1900-1902: The system was electrified, with the first electric tram running from Esplanade to Kidderpore on March 27, 1902, making Kolkata the first in Asia with electric trams.
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1905: Electric trams began operating in Howrah.
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1943: The Howrah Bridge connected the city’s tram networks.
Nationalization & Modern Era (1950s-Present)
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1951: The West Bengal Government signed an agreement to acquire the tramway system.
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1978: The Government officially took over all assets, forming The Calcutta Tramways Company (1978) Ltd., now part of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC).
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Today: Trams remain a unique, nostalgic, and vital part of Kolkata’s transport, operating on dedicated tracks and sharing roads, with modernisations like AC cars alongside historic wooden ones.
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Advantages -
If one thinks of the best way of crawling past the madding crowd with ease & afford the luxury of railcars, then no better option than trams would come to one’s mind. Analysing the pros & cons of travelling in the trams, the commuters would find it very hard to locate the negative aspects of Tram travelling. However, of late, if one feels that the tramcars have lost much of their hype, sheer luxury, then he /she is undoubtedly wrong. Although indeed, their numbers have drastically come down in the era of luxurious cabs and bikes, still, then kolkata tram has managed to brave the odds and thrive in the Kolkata roads with its same old promise of a safe, luxurious and easy going life style. Now shedding some light on the advantages of Kolkata tramways, we find the following advantageous shades: –
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Trams provide a greater passenger capacity of 300 persons as compared to only 60 in buses.
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Trams are quite friendly for children, ladies & elderly people with great comfort & ease to board in its low platform.
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These sturdy trams are very disciplined, since they run on tracks & also provide utmost safety.
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No doubt trams are user-friendly & provide a healthy atmosphere for the commuters.
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Tram can be regarded as the cheapest mode of transport since its inception. As a result, it suits the pockets of the lower sections.
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Trams are undoubtedly pollution-free & environment friendly. In this polluted city, trams provide the ultimate healthy travel for young & old.
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Trams are also considered as the transport for the poor. When one looks for a peaceful, comfortable, luxurious, cheapest & healthy drive across the city, there is no better option than Kolkata Tramways.
