The number of automobiles was increasing, so it started occupying tram tracks especially on narrow streets, and tram services got hampered. But surprisingly, car and bus drivers started blaming the tram, which was fueled by political leaders. So it was decided to close the entire Kolkata tram network within 1980.
Why are the iconic trams of Kolkata being discontinued? Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty stated that trams are a slow mode of transportation, and commuters require faster options. Tram services in Kolkata are being terminated due to traffic issues, except for one route from Esplanade to Maidan.
The Kolkata tram system, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, is discontinuing its services. The government of Kolkata has decided to close all routes of the historic tram system, except the Maidan to Esplanade stretch.
Horse-drawn trams were introduced in Kolkata in 1873; in Mumbai and Chennai, trams began operations in 1874; in Nashik in 1889; electric trams began in Chennai in 1895, and trams were also introduced in Kanpur and Delhi. They were discontinued in all Indian cities between 1933 and 1964, except for Kolkata.
Is Bengal government to discontinue tram service in Kolkata barring one short stretch?
The West Bengal government has decided to discontinue the 150-year-old tram service in Kolkata soon, barring a solitary heritage stretch from Maidan to Esplanade, Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said.
KOLKATA: STANDARD CHARTERED MEGA BRANCH, TCG LIFESCIENCES EXPANSION & VARANASI-KOLKATA EXPRESSWAY
Why did trams disappear in Kolkata?
The network initially had up to 37 lines in the 1960s, 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addition of road flyovers, expansion of the Kolkata Metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and ...
Financial Health: Kolkata incurs losses (₹1,376 crore over 3 years); Delhi/Mumbai metros are profitable operationally. Expansion (to 130 km by 2027) could add ₹100–200 crore annually, but surpassing Delhi/Mumbai requires 2–3x ridership growth.
Which is the only city in India where trams are still in use?
The City of Kolkata retained its tram system and it still continues to remain a prominent mode of public transport although the ridership numbers have declined significantly. The challenge faced by Kolkata is the limited supply of land for road space.
The advent of personal motor vehicles and the improvements in motorized buses caused the rapid disappearance of the tram from most western and Asian countries by the end of the 1950s (for example the first major UK city to completely abandon its trams was Manchester by January 1949).
The city administrations don't know how to build proper road infrastructure to standardize driving and pedestrian traffic. So it's all chaos on the so-called roads. Trams are not really feasible in such a situation. They have to elevated or separated in some way.
Recently, the West Bengal government has decided to discontinue Kolkata's tram service after 151 years of its introduction. A small stretch from Maidan to the Esplanade will be retained for tram lovers as a heritage stretch.
In 1902, Calcutta as it was known then, became the first Asian city with electric trams. Even after independence, the Calcutta Tramways Company was run from London and was listed on the London Stock Exchange till 1968. The cars were built by companies with names like Burn Standard and Jessop.
It is one of the few historic treasures without which the first capital of India 'Calcutta' cannot be imagined. The tramways are the oldest operating electric public transport in Asia. In the Indian context the first tram made its entry into Madras in 1874, and was horse drawn.
An extensive tram network covered large parts of London for several decades during the first half of the twentieth century. By the 1950s, however, trams were seen as old fashioned and were gradually phased out to create more room for buses and cars.
In 1990, the erstwhile Government of West Bengal started to decrease the number of double-decker buses due to excessive fuel consumption. Finally, in 2005, after 79 years of service to the city, they were totally discontinued, and most of them were sold as scrap.
Tramlink, previously Croydon Tramlink and currently branded as London Trams, is a light rail tram system serving Croydon and surrounding areas in South London, England. It is the first operational tram system serving the London region since 1952.
Melbourne's is the world's largest operational tram network, with 250km of double track. 200+ million trips completed annually. 5,000+ services daily. Operating for over 120 years.
After World War II, trams fell out of favour and Liverpool City Council voted to scrap the system in 1957. The controversial decision was made by the casting vote of the mayor – a protocol requirement in the event of a hung vote.
In 1907, Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Company (BEST) took over and introduced electric trams. Later double decker trams were introduced in 1920. By 31st March 1964 the trams were abandoned due to growth in traffic and fast paced life of Mumbai.
Two trams collided at Strasbourg's central station on Saturday, injuring 68 people, authorities said. Reports said that one tram, which had been stopped, moved backwards down a slope for unknown reasons, colliding with another tram that was stationary.
The idea for a local railway network in Kolkata was first proposed by Bengal-born British engineer Sir Harley Hugh Dalrymple-Hay in 1921. Construction of the current scheme has been stalled several times – mainly through problems buying land for the route.
East–West Metro Tunnel is an underwater river tunnel of Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal. The river tunnel is constructed underneath Hooghly River. It is the biggest underwater river tunnel of India, which is made for metro rail service.
Asked why fares remain lower in Kolkata, an official said, “Kolkata Metro is run by Indian Railways, which heavily subsidises passenger fares. In Delhi, the Union government covers the cost of CISF security. A significant portion of our revenue goes toward staff salaries.”
