India's historic 151-year-old trams face extinction amid modernisation: Video
Kolkata’s historic tram system, the oldest operating in Asia, is slowly disappearing, facing neglect and modernisation pressures.
Introduced in 1873 during the early days of the British Raj, the trams were originally horse-drawn before being powered by steam. Electric-powered trams hit the streets in 1900, becoming a fixture in the city’s landscape.
The single-storey trams, painted in stripes of bright blue and white with a sunshine-yellow top, now wheel along at a modest pace of 20 kilometres (12 miles) per hour - when they're not stuck in traffic.
Despite the affordability of rides, costing just seven rupees ($0.08), the irregular schedules have led many commuters to opt for faster, more expensive alternatives. Once a vital part of Kolkata’s public transport network, the 151-year-old system is under threat of vanishing.
While many see the trams as a relic of the past, a dedicated group of enthusiasts, including the Calcutta Tram Users' Association (CTUA), are fighting to preserve them.
Ram Singh, a 54-year-old teacher, fondly recalls the joy of tram rides in his youth. “When I sit in the tram, it reminds me of my childhood. We used to ride trams for fun, hopping off after a stop or two and boarding another without paying for tickets,” he told the AFP.
For others, like 18-year-old student Deep Das, the trams offer a unique way to see the city. "Whenever I sit in a tram, I can see the city through a different point of view. These wooden frames provide a nostalgic vision, and the trams beautifully blend with the surroundings wherever they go."
