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A Requiem for Kolkata Trams
Growing up in Kolkata for 24 years, I have countless memories woven into the fabric of this city. From the sweet aroma of puchkas on the streets to the heritage buildings whispering tales of a bygone era, every corner of Kolkata holds a piece of my heart. And among these, the trams have always been a special thread, gliding slowly but surely through the bustling city.
After two years away, I returned to the shocking news that the iconic trams of Kolkata are soon to be discontinued. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia and heartbreak.
Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty announced that, except for a heritage stretch between Maidan and Esplanade, the trams will be phased out.
I grew up seeing these blue and white wooden carriages move gently along the tracks, a stark contrast to the chaotic city traffic around them. They were more than just a mode of transport; they were a symbol of Kolkata’s enduring spirit and a reminder of simpler times. It hurts to think that this emblematic piece of my city’s identity is being brushed aside as “inconvenient and outdated.”
Kolkata’s trams, which recently celebrated their 150th anniversary, are the last of their kind in India. When they first arrived in 1873, the horse-drawn carriages offered a novel way to travel across what was then Calcutta. Though they faced setbacks…
