Calcutta Trams - the brainchild of Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, were introduced to ensure better public transport for the native people, better movement of goods from the ports and dockyards to their respective destinations, rapid mobilization and movement of police contingents to the sites of anti-British protests. Since police cars, vans, buses, lorries and armored cars were not introduced till 1917 thus Trams became the first mode of police transportation in the then Calcutta.
Ever since the advent of the first horse drawn tram carriages which hit the roads of the then capital of British India, a new era in the history of Calcutta was created. In spite of various setbacks, Trams stood firmly witnessing the golden decades of history through its wheels. In fact Trams can be considered as one of the aspects which give the 'City of Joy' a charm of publicity. Despite series of transformation and renovations from horses to electricity, Trams has never deprived its commuters of its luxurious and ease of travelling. Calcutta Tramways did unfold a new chapter in the transport evolution of this city. Trams ol Kolkata had also played a major role in stopping Hindu-Muslim riots during pre-independence era. Indeed Trams lend Kolkata an old world charm and add a romantic element to the city. Tram has itself been turned into an immortal heritage for which many of the city residents (NOT all of them) are proud of.
A century old single coach tram was aquired from CTC by a private shopping mall of Salt Lake, Kolkata where it was plinthed & transformed into a souvenir shop. It is indeed being maintained properly with care. A life-size horse replica is also kept along with the tram to give a more realistic look. This tramcar was used for a special run during the occassion of Tercentenary Celebration of the City of Calcutta in the year 1990. Photographed by Roy.