Landmarks are often immovable. But not Kolkata’s trams. More than a century after they first started their operations, they continue to define the character of the Metropolitan—slow pace, and a ride that meanders through the city’s landscape in silent harmony with other advanced modes of transportation, taking it easy, just like Kolkata does.
This piece of British engineering has reached that stage of its journey where it’s struggling to stay relevant. But for Kolkata, the tram has a vibe. It is the charm that is slow but refreshing, and relaxing. It is a loving reminder of that Calcutta that was when time took its time.
Shrinking space in their own backyard…
Prabhu Ram and Javed have been travelling on the Gariahat-Esplanade tram route for 20 years now. They call themselves ‘tram bondhu’ — tram friends. Ram boards the train at Ballygunge Phari, and Javed at Mallik Bazar. In their 15-minute journey, they discuss life, before moving to their respective destinations after getting down at Esplanade.
Ram used to avail the tram till Dalhousie, his previous workplace. But the route was discontinued after the East West Metro Corridor construction began in the city. Earlier, there were around 200-300 trams running. Today, that number has come down to approximately 20, on just two routes — Gariahat depot to Esplanade and Tollygunge depot to Ballygunge terminus.
The services start at seven in the morning and run till nine at night. There are two shifts for operators—7am-12pm and 1pm-9pm and each shift runs 10 trains with a 30-minute frequency. There was a time when there were around 50 tram routes connecting major joints of the city. And this half-an-hour wait was only five minutes.
After cyclone Amphan in 2020, the Maidan line was discontinued as the severe storm damaged the tram wires. The services were never restored.
Also read: Last trams standing—Kolkata citizens are pushing hard to keep them running
…but still relevant
In the city of joy, the tram has its own fan base. There is a section of commuters for whom it is still their favourite mode of commute.
Trams are a joyride for women, kids and elderly who peep outside the big windows to enjoy the view that no other transport can provide—I boarded one to experience it firsthand. The big windows give a colorful view of the Kolkata streets, hustle and bustle that you miss or otherwise ignore while traveling in the fast buses, autos and cars.
On the Esplanade-Gariahat route, many mothers are regular passengers. They avail it to pick up and drop their kids to school. For mothers, and other women, the tram does not make them anxious. Razia, 22, travels every day to drop her son to school. She says, “I can sit comfortably in the tram, it is cheap, and am less scared about his safety while traveling in trams”.
Gitasree Chakroborty, a solo traveler from Bengaluru, was in Kolkata for some personal work when she decided to take the tram journey from Tollygunge depo to Rashbehari randomly. She says, “I wanted to experience my college days of travelling by trams”. For women, Chakroborty says, tram journeys are an adventure.
Sanjay Basak, who currently works as a bus inspector at the Esplanade depot, started his career as a tram ticket checker 26 years ago. He says the tram is his family’s favourite, remembering how his daughter used to prefer them over buses while going to school. Basak used to reach his work station in Esplanade by tram from Bidhangar before he was given company cab services.
Nazia, travelling with her mother and newborn kid says, “I feel safe while traveling in the tram with my son. I will always choose tram over a bumpy, unpleasant bus ride”.
The tram sifts through some of the busiest areas of Kolkata — traveling from Gariahat depot, it crosses Mallik Bazar, Chandni, Ripon street, Park Circus crossing. On this route, there are schools, markets and residences. Sisters Hooba and Rooba have been taking the tram everyday to go to school. The duo complete their two-way journey for Rs 28 only. If not on a tram, they have to change two autos in the busy traffic areas and the same commute costs Rs 200.
But for the millennials and Gen-Z, the tram has lost its utility and they see no charm in it either.
Amir Bose, a Class XI student, waiting for a bus outside Gariahat depot says he would not take the tram. “It is the slowest medium of transport, and I do not want to be late”.
In recent years, tram lines across the city have been repaired but their disappearance from Kolkata’s roads continues.
State transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty, however, assures that “Though Kolkata’s roads have ‘shrunk’ with an increase in vehicles, trams won’t go off road”. He says the state government is hopeful of reopening a few more routes shortly.
The city of joy would be losing an important part of its cultural history once the trams disappear.
Anjali Williams, a co-passenger who recently left her job to spend some time with her family, says: “Tram is a realisation of not rushing always and enjoying the slowness life has to offer”.
“It is Kolkata’s pride, a part of history that should be cherished”.
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)
Source: https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiggFodHRwczovL3RoZXByaW50LmluL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2tvbGthdGEtdHJhbS10aGUtbW92aW5nLWxhbmRtYXJrLW9mLWEtY2l0eS10aGF0cy1zdGlsbC1yZWxldmFudC1mZXJyeWluZy1jaGlsZHJlbi10by1zY2hvb2xzLzEyODA5NzQv0gHLAWh0dHBzOi8vdGhlcHJpbnQuaW4vZmVhdHVyZXMva29sa2F0YS10cmFtLXRoZS1tb3ZpbmctbGFuZG1hcmstb2YtYS1jaXR5LXRoYXRzLXN0aWxsLXJlbGV2YW50LWZlcnJ5aW5nLWNoaWxkcmVuLXRvLXNjaG9vbHMvMTI4MDk3NC8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pem9vdG8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1wdXNoX25vdGlmaWNhdGlvbiZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249VGhlUHJpbnQmYW1w?oc=5
