India's last tram network clings to life as Kolkata fights to preserve its legacy

For generations, Kolkata's iconic trams have been a living testament to the Indian city’s colonial past, ringing their distinctive ding-ding sounds while weaving through bustling streets and carrying commuters with a rumbling charm. Now, this dwindling fleet faces an uncertain future as India prepares to bid farewell to one of the world’s last surviving tram networks.

In September 2024, West Bengal’s Transport Minister, Sri Snehasis Chakraborty, announced plans to decommission the tram system—the oldest in Asia and the last in India—citing worsening traffic congestion.

While the government proposed keeping a short heritage route, the decision sparked widespread dismay, leading to a court battle as residents and heritage preservationists pushed to save the trams.

Once operating across 52 routes in the 1970s, the network had already been drastically reduced to 25 routes in 2015, with only two remaining today—both of which activists fear may soon disappear.

Kolkata’s first tram, a horse-drawn vehicle, began operating in 1873 and was electrified in 1902. Often seen crawling through heavy traffic, a ride now costs just seven rupees (about $0.08)—cheaper than a bus fare—and mostly attracts those willing to trade speed for a slice of nostalgia.

“I have seen a lot of changes. First, when I joined in the ’90s, there were 340 trams running in Kolkata. Gradually, the number has reduced to 7–8 trams,” said Bacchu Sidda, a conductor for 36 years, standing at the Gariahat depot where handwritten schedules still hang on a notice board.

For many, the trams are more than just a form of transport—they represent the city’s history and sense of identity.

“I love my trams more than myself,” said 19-year-old Deep Das, a journalism student and member of the Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA), which has campaigned since 2016 to save the system. “If they disappear, it will be like a part of my body has left me.”

Scrapping trams, activists argue, is not only short-sighted but also a setback for environmental sustainability. These electric vehicles provide an eco-friendly alternative to Kolkata’s pollution-heavy transport options.

Comparing Kolkata with other major cities that are building or expanding tram systems as part of urban revitalization efforts, CTUA’s joint secretary Sagnik Gupta said, “We in Kolkata are throwing it into the gutters.” He added that trams offer a cheaper and energy-efficient alternative to electric buses.

With the constant decline of its tram system, only one depot in Gariahat remains operational, prompting CTUA to take the fight to court.

For now, with the issue before the Calcutta High Court—which has formed an advisory committee to explore ways to restore and maintain Kolkata’s tram services—the trams continue to run, at least for another day.

-Production: Sahiba Chawdhary, Shivangi Singh, Sunil Kataria, Jacinta Goh/Reuters