Photo: Tram
I learned about tram journeys just two days before I took my first tram ride. International travel has always fascinated me. Last year, while walking alone on the streets of Kolkata late at night, I noticed a road that looked like it was made for a train. I started thinking maybe there was a time when a train used to run here, which is now replaced by bus routes.
A year later, I found out my idea was wrong. Those roads were used by trams. Trams are a kind of transportation, somewhat like trains and somewhat like buses, but they run on electricity and donât harm the environment. They are a completely eco-friendly and controlled means of transportation.
Photo: Buses and trams on the same road.
From history, I found out that the Trams were introduced to India in the late 19th century, mainly in cities like Kolkata and Mumbai. Kolkata, especially, had one of Asiaâs earliest tram systems, starting in 1873 with horse-drawn trams before transitioning to electric ones. These trams revolutionized urban mobility, connecting different parts of cities and aiding in the movement of people and goods.
Photo: When we buy the tram ticket and wait for the tram. We are local guides.
During their peak, Indian tram systems covered significant areas of the cities they served, with Kolkata boasting an extensive network that became integral to its identity. However, the advent of automobiles and buses led to a decline in tram popularity, resulting in many cities phasing out their tram systems.
Photo: Inside the tram we took a selfie with the local guides.
Despite this decline, trams hold a nostalgic appeal for many Indians, recalling a time when they were a common sight on bustling streets. Kolkata remains one of the few cities where trams still operate, albeit on a smaller scale. Efforts are underway to preserve and modernize these remaining tram systems, ensuring they continue to contribute to Indiaâs urban heritage.
I had been eager to ride a tram for the past two days. It was lucky for me to get onto the tram through my two familiar elder brothers. @ShafiulB Bhai, @PritishB Da, @KalyanPal Da, @AmarjitD Da, and Tushar Bhai, along with us, waited for the tram at Esplanade Station, and we did a bit of local guiding and shared our guiding experience with each ot
Then, as soon as the tram arrived, we got on. It was a joyful moment. We sat inside, enjoying the surroundings and capturing moments with the camera on our phones.
We took a couple of snapshots with the ticket counter contact. Kalyan Da and Prithish Da paid for each of us. The ticket price was 7 rupees per person.
There was some traffic jam on the road so we got down at New Market.
Photo: Selfie
I received these joyful moments as gifts from my Indian brothers. Special thanks to Prithish Da and Kalyan Da.
Advantages of Trams:
- Itâs an environmentally friendly vehicle.
- Perfect for traveling with family.
- Very affordable fare.
- Controlled speed and a very good means of preventing accidents.
- The horn sounds like a clock ticking, which doesnât cause noise pollution.
- Suitable transportation to prevent air pollution.
Disadvantages:
- Sometimes it wastes time due to unavailable trams.
- To ride a tram, you first need to come to Kolkata city and go to the tram counter at Esplanade. Then, you have to talk to the counter about the tram.
Sharing with you a short story of my trip to Kolkata to celebrate Local Guides Bangla 7th anniversary.
#LGBContest
#LGB7thAnniversary
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