You’re spot on again! The Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) has a rich and unique legacy in India’s urban transport history. Here’s a detailed overview of its evolution:

Year: 1880

Registered in: London, England

The company was set up to develop and operate tram services in Calcutta (now Kolkata), under British colonial rule.

It revived the concept of trams after the initial horse-drawn version failed in 1873, beginning with steam-powered trams, and later switching to electric traction.

Electric trams introduced: 27 March 1902

First route: Esplanade to Kidderpore

The system rapidly expanded and became a vital part of Calcutta’s public transport network, covering various parts of the city, including Howrah via the iconic Howrah Bridge (until tram access was later restricted).

CTC operated single- and double-coach trams, and introduced night trams, ladies-only trams, and trams with postal services over time.

The CTC was nationalized due to financial difficulties and the need to revamp and regulate urban transport under public control.

Post-nationalization, it came under the administrative control of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) (later formed), which now manages buses and the remaining tram services.

Kolkata remains India’s only city with trams still operational, though the network has shrunk due to urbanization, metro expansion, and road traffic issues.

Trams today are often seen as heritage transport, with some being repurposed as museum cars, book cafés, and mobile art galleries.

Introduced India to electric urban mass transport

Played a critical role in public mobility for over a century

Became a cultural symbol of Kolkata, often featured in Bengali cinema and literature