Kolkata’s trams, that have been plying in the city for over 130 years and are a unique symbol of the city, ultimately got a makeover.For decades, the trams have fought a bitter turf war with cars and buses in Kolkata, a former British colonial capital and a city of over 15 million people considered an urban nightmare due to its belching public transport and congested roads.The slow-paced but environment-friendly trams, which often fill the air with electric sparks as they trundle down their tracks, have been plying Kolkata since 1873, but over the years they have been adandoned in favour of faster transport, and their tracks have been pulled out to make way for more vehicles.But now, the vintage contraptions are back in after a multi-million, government-funded makeover which began a few years ago. So far, 12 trams have been renovated at a total cost of over 14 million rupees ($290,000), with 12 more slated for renewal.
While the exteriors of the new trams stands completely transformed, the insides have also been changed by the CTC engineers.Ever since the first horse-drawn tram of the city rolled out on metre gauge tracks on Feb 24, 1873, the ‘heritage wheels’ have virtually become a logo of Kolkata - a city of over 15 million people.
CTC was formed in 1880 and registered in London on Dec 22 that year. The company was taken over by the West Bengal government in the 1970s.
CTC was formed in 1880 and registered in London on Dec 22 that year. The company was taken over by the West Bengal government in the 1970s.
New look of our trams :
Traditional look of these old beasts:
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