Trams are still present in the city of Kolkata as a reminder of the centuries-old tradition. This tram will enter half a century or 150 years today on February 24. But the horse-drawn trams of the past are no more. Trams have been modernized. Powered by electricity. A separate line has been built for trams in the city. Like a mini railway line.
But there is no tram in Kolkata. In 2011, there were 37 tram routes in Kolkata. Now reduced to 4.
The first tram in Calcutta was run on 24 February 1873. The trams of those days were horse drawn trams. The first was launched from Sealdah to Armenia Ghat in Calcutta. The distance was 3.9 km. Calcutta Tramway Company Limited was formed during the running of this tram. This company is registered in London. Then the tram was launched again in a new form from 22 December 1880. Then this tram started with a small compartment. And it was drawn by two horses. Calcutta's first electric tram started running on March 27, 1902. That tram started running from Dharmatala to Khidirpur. The tram was started in 1903 from Dharmatala to Talliganj. Dharmatala to Belgachia and Sealdah were also launched in the same year. and started from Dharmatala to College Street in 1905.
And in 2017, that tram route was reduced to 15. The number of trams also reduced from 65 to 70. And the length of tramline has been reduced to 22 km. Once it was 80 km. The number of passengers decreased from 80 thousand to 20 to 21 thousand per day.
Nevertheless, tourists from different states of India and abroad come to Kolkata to ride this traditional tram. They want to go on this tram. Want to feel the joy of traveling in the tram. Since then, the speed of the tram has decreased or is still low. So many people prefer to travel by tram. Many tourists in Calcutta are still seen looking for trams.
Although the speed is slow, one of the characteristics of the tram is that it is pollution-free public transport. So there is a new demand not to erase this tradition of Kolkata.
State Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty said, 'We will not say goodbye to them after 150 years. I will keep it alive.
Last Tuesday, West Bengal State Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee requested Municipalities Minister Firhad Hakim to keep the Kolkata tram running.
The city minister said that Kolkata's trams will not be stopped. Its tradition will be preserved.
Last Wednesday, the CPM held a press conference in the opposition party in the state and complained that efforts were being made to remove trams from Kolkata city. Many of Tram's assets are being sold. The tram depot site is being sold and handed over to promoters.
Therefore, to protect this tram in Kolkata, the Left Front has organized a protest rally and demonstration in front of 10 tram depot in Kolkata this afternoon on the 150th anniversary of the tram. CPM's Kolkata district committee secretary Kallol Majumdar said, "We will not let the tradition of trams disappear from the city of Kolkata. I will continue the movement. This tram is a low-cost environment-friendly public transport. So we demand that trams in Kolkata. should be secured immediately.Our movement will continue with this demand.
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