Saturday, September 19, 2009

Kolkata Tram:Behala Tram Depot

[An old Tram standing at Behala Tram Depot]

Trams are one of so many old friends of Kolkata. In 1873 (24th Feb 1873)Kolkata got her first horse drown tram.

After lots of modification in 1902, (27th March1902), the first electric tramcar ran from Esplanade to Kidderpore.

[Tram on its way]

Since then Tram has become a part of daily life of kolkata wallas'.
Behala Tram depot is operating since 1986. Tram used to be very popular mode of tranport for commuting to and from several parts of Behala , but recently the trend has seen a reversal. The only tram service in Behala now connects Behala to Thakurpukur and Joka.

[The cabin of the driver]

[Interior of a typical old second class coach]
I took the above photos in an evening july 2009, when I was just passing the depot. The tram shown in picture is the oldest version available in Kolkata.
Recently we have witnessed new sexy version of trams with sate of art design and better availability. Now it has become a MUST RIDE in Kolkata! :)
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Some Key Facts!
  1. Kolata Tram is the oldest oprating electric driven tarm in ASIA!
  2. On 22nd December, 1880, The Calcutta Tramway Co. Ltd was formed and registered in London!
  3. In 1908 Behala got connected in Tram network!
  4. In 1951, The Government of West Bengal signed an agreement with the Calcutta Tramways Company and the Calcutta Tramways Act, 1951 was enacted. The Govt. took control over all rights with regard to Tramways and reserved the right to purchase the system on 1st Jan, 1972 or any time thereafter giving two years notice.
  5. In 1986 Behala got her own tram depot!
for more information:
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14 comments:

Unknown said...

Just imagine all the history that tram must hold from throughout the ages. Thats crazy. If only "walls" could talk.

Anonymous said...

Nice story of Kolkatta trams...
Would love to see those sexy trams too...

Coool photos as always!
Cheers!!!

Ravi

Anonymous said...

Very interesting subject. Thanks for sharing.

Salitype said...

very informative...

look at those trams, classic! i am interested to know how the sexy version looks like, must be fiery red!

rainfield61 said...

It is very interesting. And old tram and the history.

Anya said...

A fantastic history
thanks for sharing :)
I love the bleu color from that tram so fresh .....;)

Amrita said...

sorry my feeder did not show you were updating. Today I got it back. Beautiful photos and commentary too. A real treat.

Leslie said...

I don't think I ever would have thought of something like that otherwise, but that is so interesting. You know, it's the posts like this one that keep me coming back here.

George said...

Thanks for the history of the trams in your city. I really liked your pictures of the old tram and hope you will post some pictures of the new version in the future.

magiceye said...

that was such an interesting post. thank you.

Regina said...

it really looks vintage. We have also tram built in the early 1900. but destroyed in the war.
Great shots.
Thanks for visiting.

Anonymous said...

Oh .. You jsut refreshed my memories of Kolkata.. nowe I feel like being there !!

I myself got the photos and videos of the Kol trams thinking that who knows .. kal ho na ho ! :)

I wanted to experience them too, sadly I couldn't .. but I will have many opportunities in the future, i hope :)

Thanks for the knowledge about trams in Kolkata !

Sharodindu said...

Thanks all for peeping in :)
and leaving your valuable thoughts!
Surely I'll come with the newer version of kolkata trams but felt urgency to capture the old one which is walking towards history slowly but with steady speed!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU ONCE AGAIN!

:)

My Unfinished Life said...

i feel tram is the unique thing about kolkata, not the metro!!!....