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| Kolkata Tram System | |
|---|---|
 | |
 A modern tram resting at esplanade terminus in 2010 (up) and a vintage tram entering the B.B.D Bag terminus in 2009 (down). | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Government of West Bengal |
| Area served | Kolkata downtown |
| Locale |  Kolkata, India |
| Transit type | Tram |
| Number of lines | 2 |
| Line number | Total Routes- 50, Operational Routes-2 (Sept. 2024) |
| Daily ridership | 15,000 daily[1] |
| Annual ridership | 5.4 lacs. (approx.) |
| Website | Calcutta Tramways |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1873 (electrification since 1902)[2] |
| Operator(s) | West Bengal Transport Corporation |
| Reporting marks | WBTC (formerly CTC) |
| Character | LRT |
| Number of vehicles | Total fleet- 257, In operation- 25 (rotational basis), Laying abandoned- 232.[3] |
| Technical | |
| System length | 14 km (former- 61km) |
| Track gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)[2] |
| Electrification | 550 V DC Overhead line, Trolleypole |
The Kolkata Tram System, is a tramway that serves Kolkata, the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal, operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) after Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) was merged with WBTC, is the oldest tram network operating in India, and oldest operating tramway in Asia Being electrified in 1902, it is the second oldest electric tramway in India.[4] The Kolkata Tram is the only tram system in India.
With the help of periodic negligence, the Government of West Bengal (current operators) had formed systematic initiatives to suspend the entire tram network from the city and sell properties. However, an apolitical organization named Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) was formed in 2016 to advocate in favor of Kolkata's tram system.[5]
The network initially had up to 37 lines in the 1960s,[6] 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addition of road flyovers, expansion of the Kolkata Metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space.
Right now there are two tram routes running. They are -
- 5 - Esplanade - Shyambazar
- 25 - Gariahat - Esplanade
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Kolkata trams to get a GenX makeover". The Times of India. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (25 July 2024). "Give Kolkata back its tram, reiterate enthusiasts as they step up pressure on government" – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (23 July 2020). "Kolkata's historic trams trundle once more". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 August 2020.