That’s a fascinating early chapter in India’s transportation history! Here’s a more detailed look at the first tram service in India:
Date of Inauguration: 24 February 1873
Location: Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal
From Sealdah Railway Station
To Armenian Ghat Street (near the Hooghly River)
Distance: 3.8 km
Horse-drawn tramcars, running on rails laid on the road.
The initiative was led by private European entrepreneurs with a view to ease the movement of people and goods across the city, especially between the railway station and the river ghats, which were important for trade.
Calcutta, being the capital of British India at the time, was chosen for this experimental public transport model.
The project wasn’t commercially successful initially and was discontinued after a few months due to lack of patronage and profitability.
In 1880, tram services were revived under the Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), which was registered in London.
The revived version used steam engines at first and later transitioned to electric trams starting 1902.
Year Introduced: 27 March 1902
Route: From Esplanade to Kidderpore in Calcutta
Made Calcutta the first city in India to run electric trams.
Kolkata remains the only Indian city where trams are still operational, albeit on a much-reduced network.
These iconic trams have become a heritage symbol of the city and are often featured in literature, films, and art.
