Tram, thought to be dead, set to dominate this weekend in Kolkata
4 days, 10 hours ago

Tram, thought to be dead, set to dominate this weekend in Kolkata

The Hindu  

The iconic Kolkata tram continues to be in use and in news — irrespective of the West Bengal government’s intention to consign it to history — with two events lined up this weekend in the city related to this gentle, environment-friendly mode of transport. On Saturday nearly 200 children from Sri Sri Academy, a well-known school, will take a tram ride to get an idea of this once-popular medium of commute; while on Sunday — Swami Vivekananda’s birthday — tram enthusiasts will hold a street protest to demand restoration of one of the three routes that are still alive. And on Sunday, Mr. Shi will change his hat, from that of the co-founder of Tramjatra to the secretary of Calcutta Tram Users’ Association, which will hold a protest meeting outside the Tollygunge depot to demand resumption of the Tollygunge-Ballygunge route, the only tram route in south Kolkata that is still officially active but that was closed some months ago due to track repair and has not been resumed. “This seems to be a gameplan between two State Government agencies — the West Bengal Transport Corporation and Kolkata Municipal Corporation — which always play an orchestra against the tramways.

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History of this topic

Trams part of cultural ethos of Kolkata: Calcutta HC
1 day ago

Trams part of cultural ethos of Kolkata: Calcutta HC

Deccan Chronicle  

Kolkata: Observing that trams are a part of the cultural ethos of Kolkata, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed that tram tracks which were illegally bituminised in the city be restored. Hearing a public interest litigation seeking that tram services, which are unique to Kolkata in the whole country, be continued and restored in places where these have been …

A requiem for Kolkata’s trams
3 weeks, 6 days ago

A requiem for Kolkata’s trams

Hindustan Times  

Arati has just lost her job; Subrata was already unemployed. They witnessed major historic events from Bengal’s proposed partition in 1905 to the Brahmo Samaj Movement, India’s independence, Partition riots, insurrections, and political changes until, in 1971, the first tram route closed down. So, when the CTC, supported by the West Bengal government, announced a fare hike for its second …

A Journey Through Time: The Enduring Legacy of Kolkata's Tram
2 months, 1 week ago

A Journey Through Time: The Enduring Legacy of Kolkata's Tram

The Hindu  

A nostalgic journey through Kolkata's history, the tram stands as a symbol of the city's rich heritage and vibrant spirit. The article chronicles the history of trams in Kolkata, highlighting their significance as a mode of transportation that has served the city for over 150 years. It captures the essence of Kolkata's culture through the distinct design of the tram …

150-year-old Kolkata tram service to be discontinued, only functional in Maidan-Esplanade route for heritage joyride
3 months, 3 weeks ago

150-year-old Kolkata tram service to be discontinued, only functional in Maidan-Esplanade route for heritage joyride

Hindustan Times  

Kolkata's tram is a cultural heritage of the City of Joy. The 150-year-old tram service is a legacy and a major part of Kolkata’s history. Kolkata tram is nostalgic and a part of Kolkata's cultural heritage. The West Bengal government decided to discontinue the legacy tram service due to difficulties with vehicular traffic. The characteristic white-blue colours of the tram …

Kolkata, in protest mode, gives unexpected boost to tram enthusiasts fighting a losing battle
4 months, 1 week ago

Kolkata, in protest mode, gives unexpected boost to tram enthusiasts fighting a losing battle

The Hindu  

The sole tram lovers’ body in Kolkata — which has long been demanding the revival of the slow, charming and environment-friendly mode of transport — received warm and unexpected support from crowds when its members joined a recent protest march demanding justice in the R.G. The number of Calcutta Tram Users’ Association members who joined the march from College Street …

Enthusiasts set to protest following possibility of closure of trams
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Enthusiasts set to protest following possibility of closure of trams

The Hindu  

Tram enthusiasts in Kolkata are preparing to petition West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and intensify their public campaign after news emerged that her government wanted to shut down the tram except for one route for the purpose of tourism. We will also try to create pressure by mobilising public opinion,” said filmmaker Mahadeb Shi, general secretary of Calcutta Tram …

The biochemist who hopes to retrieve the Kolkata tram from the jaws of history
10 months, 3 weeks ago

The biochemist who hopes to retrieve the Kolkata tram from the jaws of history

The Hindu  

If biochemistry and the Kolkata tram had a friend in common, it would be Debasish Bhattacharyya. Logically, we are much ahead of anti-tram lobbies,” said Dr. Bhattacharyya, president of CTUA, or Calcutta Tram Users’ Association, ahead of the events on Saturday to mark 151 years of the Kolkata tram. “Since I was a Central Government servant, the State authority could …

High Court Urges State Govt To Consider Modernising & Restoring Tram Services In Kolkata Through Public-Private Partnership Model
1 year, 1 month ago

High Court Urges State Govt To Consider Modernising & Restoring Tram Services In Kolkata Through Public-Private Partnership Model

Live Law  

The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the State to consider the possibility of modernising and restoring the city's tram services on select routes which would have the approval of various authorities, including the police. A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya suggested the state consider restoring tram services through a public-private. A division bench …

While expert panel decides on Kolkata tram’s future, commuters’ union to continue protests
1 year, 4 months ago

While expert panel decides on Kolkata tram’s future, commuters’ union to continue protests

The Hindu  

While the future of the iconic Kolkata tram now largely depends on the Calcutta High Court and the expert committee recently set up by it, the Calcutta Tram Users’ Association — which is a part of the committee — plans to hold a protest in College Street on Saturday to demand more trams on the just three routes that remain …

Celebrating 150 years of Kolkata’s tramways: Can they keep up with the city’s frantic pace?
1 year, 10 months ago

Celebrating 150 years of Kolkata’s tramways: Can they keep up with the city’s frantic pace?

The Hindu  

Published : Mar 09, 2023 10:40 IST The best way of slowing down time is to stir a pot of tomato soup. Unlikely partnership “What the red double decker bus is to London, the tram is to Kolkata,” said Rajanvir Singh Kapur, Managing Director of West Bengal Transport Corporation. “While walking down the famous Chowringhee road, I could hear the …

Watch | How Kolkata celebrated 150 years of trams
1 year, 10 months ago

Watch | How Kolkata celebrated 150 years of trams

The Hindu  

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Kolkata tram, which has been an integral part of the city’s identity since 1873. The Tramjatra, a global collaboration of tram enthusiasts, artists, environmentalists, and communities, has been in motion in Melbourne in Australia, and Kolkata since 1996. Roberto D’Andrea, a retired tram driver and conductor from Melbourne, distributed specially designed Tramjatra …

Not derailed by time, Kolkata trams strut their stuff
1 year, 10 months ago

Not derailed by time, Kolkata trams strut their stuff

The Hindu  

The people of Kolkata on Sunday witnessed a unique parade of trams when eight tram cars criss-crossed across the north and south of the city. From the 100-year-old ‘Tram Scrubber’ used to clean tram tracks to trams named ‘Chaitali’, ‘Balaka’‘Bioscope’, ‘Partition Museum’ and ‘Art Gallery’ to an air-conditioned tram car — they were all part of the parade that chugged …

Kolkata to Get Tram Library with Books to Read During Ride Through City's Iconic College Street
4 years, 3 months ago

Kolkata to Get Tram Library with Books to Read During Ride Through City's Iconic College Street

News 18  

In a first of its kind, Kolkata is all set to get a tram library, a top official said on Wednesday. The specially designed tram library will have books and magazines, including those on competitive examinations such as the civil services, WBCS, GRE or GMAT in order to attract readers from various educational institutions along its route, West Bengal Transport …

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