The Calcutta Tramways Company Limited (CTC) is a West Bengal state government undertaken company that runs trams in Kolkata and buses in and around Kolkata.
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Past in a nutshell
Horse drawn trams
1873: An attempt was made to run a 2.4 mile tramway service between Sealdeh and Armenian Ghat Street on 24 February. The service was not adequately patronised and was wound up on Nov 20. 1880: The Calcutta Tramway Co. Ltd was formed and registered in London on 22 December. Metre-gauge horse-drawn tram tracks were laid between Sealdeh to Armenian Ghat via Bowbarzar Street. Dalhousie Sq. and Strand Road. The route was inaugurated on 1 November. 1882 Steam locomotives were deployed experimentally to haul tramcars. By the end of the nineteenth century the Company owned 166 tramcars 1000 horses, 7 steam locomotives and 19 miles of tram tracks. 1900 Electrification of the Tramways and simultaneous reconstruction of tracks to the standard gauge (4' 8½”) was started. 1905 Howrah Station to Bandhaghat route was opened for tramways in June. Electrification project completed. 1908 Lines to Shibpur via G.T. Road made ready. 1943 The Calcutta system was connected with Howrah section through the new Howrah Bridge in February. With this extension, the total track length reached 42.0 miles (67.73 km). 1951 The Government of West Bengal entered into an agreement with the Calcutta Tramways Company and the Calcutta Tramways Act, 1951 was enacted. The Govt. took 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. 1967 The Government of West Bengal passed The Calcutta Tramways Company (Taking over of Management) Act, 1967 and took over the management on 19 July 1967. On 8 November 1976 the Calcutta Tramways (Acquisition of undertaking) ordinance, 1976 was promulgated under which the Company with all its assets vested with the government. 1970 The Howrah sections were closed down in October 1970 and 1971/1973 Nimtala Ghat route was closed down in May 1973. The total track length was now reduced to 38 miles (62 kilometers).
1985 On 17 April extension of track was completed connecting Manicktola to Ultadanga via Manicktola Main road (3.7 km). This was the first Tramways extension since 1947. 1986 On 31 December further extension of train track from Behala to Joka was completed. 1992 Calcutta Tramways Company has taken a new venture by introducing Bus services from 4 November 1992 initially with a fleet of 40 buses.
Tram routes
| Route No. | Description | Length (km) | Streets served | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgatchia to Esplanade | 7.29 | R.G.Kar Rd – Bidhan Sarani – College Street – Nirmal Ch. Street – Lenin Sarani | |
| 2 | Belgatchia to BBD Bag | 6.81 | R.G.Kar Rd – Bidhan Sarani – College Street – B.B.Ganguly Street | |
| 4 | Belgatchia to BBD Bag | 6.92 | R.G.Kar Rd – Bidhan Sarani – Aurobinda Sarani - Rabindra Sarani | |
| 5 | Shyambazar to Esplanade | 5.13 | Bidhan Sarani – College Street – Nirmal Ch. Street - Lenin Sarani | |
| 6 | Shyambazar to BBD Bag | 5.13 | Bidhan Sarani – College Street – B.B. Ganguly Street | |
| 8 | Bagbazar to BBD | 5.13 | Bidhan Sarani – Rabindra Sarani | |
| 10 | Shyambazar to BBD Bag | 5.13 | Bidhan Sarani – Aurobinda Sarani – Rabindra Sarani | |
| 11 | Belgatchia to Howrah Bridge | 6.92 | R.G.Kar Rd – Bidhan Sarani – Mahatma Gandhi Road | |
| 12 | Gallif Street to Esplanade | 6.92 | A.P.C.Road – A.J.C.Bose Road – Lenin Sarani | |
| 13 | Gallif Street to Esplanade | 6.92 | A.P.C. Road – Surya Sen St. – Raja Rammohan Sarani - B.B. Ganguly Street | |
| 14 | Rajabazar to BBD Bag | 4.81 | A.P.C Road – Surya Sen St. – Raja Rammohan Sarani - B.B. Ganguly Street | |
| 15/12 | Rajabazar to Howrah Bridge | 4.81 | A.P.C.Road – Surya Sen St. – Mahatma Gandhi Road | |
| 16 | Bidhan Nagar to BBD Bag | 8.14 | V.I.P. Rd. – Maniktala Main Rd. – A.P.C Rd. – Surya Sen St. – Rammohan Sarani – B.B. Ganguly Street | |
| 17 | Bidhan Nagar to Esplanade | 8.14 | V.I.P. Rd. - Maniktala Main Rd. – A.P.C. Rd. - A.J.C. Bose Rd. – Lenin Sarani | |
| 20 | Park Circus to Howrah Bridge | 7.85 | S.A.Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C.Bose Road – M.G.Road | |
| 21 | Parkcircus to Howrah Bridge | 7.85 | S.A.Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C.Bose Road – M.G.Road | |
| 22 | Parkcircus to BBD Bag | 7.85 | S.A.Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C.Bose Road – A.P.C. Road – Maniktala Main Road. – V.I.P. Road | |
| 20/17 | Parkcircus to Bidhan Nagar | 8.25 | S.A.Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C.Bose Road – A.P.C. Road – Maniktala Main Road – V.I.P. Road | |
| 24 | Ballygunge Station to BBD Bag | 12.68 | Rash Behari Avenue – S.P. Mukherjee Road – Hazra Road Alipore Road – D.H. Road – Maidan - Esplanade | |
| 25 | Ballygunge Station to BBD Bag | 8.65 | Rash Behari Avenue – Gariahat Road – S.A. Ali Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C. Bose Road – Elliot Road – R.A. Kidwai Road – Lenin Sarani - Esplanade | |
| 26 | Ballygunge Station to Howrah Bridge | 10.38 | Rash Behari Avenue – Gariahat Road – S.A. Ali Avenue – New Park Street – A.J.C. Bose Road – M.G. Road | |
| 27 | Ballygunge Station to Behala | 9.01 | Rash Behari Avenue – S.P. Mukherjee Road – Hazra Road - Alipore Road – D.H. Road | |
| 29 | Tollygunge to BBD Bag | 12.55 | D.P. Sasmal Road – S.P.Mukherjee Road – Hazra Road - Alipore Road – D.H. Road - Maidan | |
| 30 | Kalighat to Howrah Bridge | 11.86 | S.P.Mukherjee Road – Hazra Road - Alipore Road – D.H. Road - Maidan – Eeplanade – B.B.D. Bag – Rabindra Sarani – M.G. Road | |
| 24/29 | Tollygunge to Ballygunge Station | 5.45 | D.P. Sasmal Road – S.P. Mukherjee Road – R.B. Avenue | |
| 35 | Behala to Esplanade | 8.74 | D.H. Road – Maidan | |
| 36 | Khidderpore to Esplanade | 4.99 | G.R.C. Road – Maidan | |
| 37 | Joka to Esplanade | 14.75 | D.H. Road – Maidan | |
| 20/12 | Parkcircus to Gallif Street | 7.85 | Park Street - A.J.C. Bose Road – A.P.C. Road |
Buses operated by CTC
The Calcutta Tramways Company (1978) Ltd., had taken a new venture by introducing Bus Services from November ’92. This can be termed as a Golden Chapter for CTC to enable the Century-old Company to serve the people of Kolkata and surrounding rural areas in conformity with its tradition of dedication and commitment. It was presumed that Bus services would be an advantageous transport system for the Company as it would be able to access those areas which are not yet un-folded by running of trams. The running of bus service was done with a vision of reaching wider areas around the city and to keep the heritage of The Calcutta Tramways Company intact. It was also presumed that, additional running of Bus services would also maintain the financial harmony within the CTC infrastructure. Since the introduction of the first CTC Bus services, the network has extended in broader parameter within a short span of time. With over 40 (forty) number of routes throughout Kolkata and surrounding areas, efficient service, comfortability and smooth ride have already enjoyed the confidence of the commuters. The CTC fleet of buses fulfills the condition of a safe, reliable and punctual mode of transport and run in tandem with its tram colleagues. The initial bus services were introduced from Rajabazar with a fleet of 40 (forty) Buses. In course of time, CTC started operation of Bus services from Kidderpore depot. In the year 1993, the Tollygunge depot and Belgatchia depot were added in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Later on CTC started operation of Bus services from Ghasbagan depot at Howrah in the year 2005.
Management
Technical details
- Gauge 1435mm
Advantages and criticism
See also
References
- Niyogi, S. Shake, rattle & roll. The Sunday Story, Sunday Times of India, Kolkata, June 25, 2006. Available on Times of India e-paper (free registration required).
- Pathak Pratap Shankar, The Sunday Story, Sunday Times of India, Kolkata
