Trams in Kolkata
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. Started in 1902, it is the oldest electric tramway in India. It is the only operating tram network of India at present.
| 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 | ||
| Daily ridership | 15,000 daily | ||
| Website | Calcutta Tramways | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 1873 (electrification since 1902) | ||
| Operator(s) | West Bengal Transport Corporation | ||
| Reporting marks | WBTC (formerly CTC) | ||
| Number of vehicles | 257 trams (35 in operation) | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 19.53 km | ||
| Track gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Electrification | 550 V DC Overhead line, Trolleypole | ||
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The network initially had up to 37 lines in the 1960s, but has gradually reduced over the years with only six 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addition of road flyovers, expansion of the Kolkata Metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space.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). As of January 2023, only the two regular routes are in service with the service on other routes shut down.
Due to these issues, there have been occasional talks of either shutting down the network permanently or lowering operations of the system. 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.