Calcutta Tramways Company

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.

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 route was closed down in May 1973, and re-alignment of Howrah Station terminus occurred. The total track length was now reduced to 38 miles (62 kilometers).

1980 Tram tracks on Bentinck Street & Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay Road closed for construction of Kolkata metro, after the construction, these stretches not re-opened, overhead wires was present till 1994 on Bentinck Street. Tracks on Jawaharlal Nehru Road survived after some realignment, making a new terminus at Birla Planetarium. Birla Planetarium route closed in 1991. A flyover constructed on that road in 2006

1982 Sealdah Station terminus along with Sealdaha station - Lebutala stretch on Bipin Bihari Gangopadhyay Street closed for construction of a flyover. The place of that terminus is now occupied by building of Sealdah court & bus terminus. 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.

1993 Howrah Station terminus closed and tram tracks removed on Howrah Bridge, because such a cantilever bridge proved not so strong for trams. All routes terminated there shortened to Barhabazar (Howrah Bridge) terminus (former Barhabazar junction).

1995 High Court terminus closed for reconstruction of Rajib Gandhi Sarani. Rails & wires removed from there & from Rajib Gandhi Sarani, Hare Street & Shahid Kshudiram Basu Road. The place is now occupied by newest building of Kolkata high court.

2004 Garhiahat Depot - Garhiahat Junction link on Lila Roy Sarani closed for construction of a flyover.

2006 Mominpur - Behala stretch on Diamond Harbour Road closed for construction of a flyover at Taratala. Initially, there was a plan to relaying of tracks on that flyover after its completion, but later the road was converted to National Highway, and the plan dismantled. Behala - Joka stretch is still running along with Behala terminus.

2007 Galiff Street terminus converted finally to a CTC bus terminus. Rails & wires removed from the terminus & from Galiff Street and part of Bidhan Sarani.

Tram routes

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

CTC is headed by a Chairman/Managing Director. Director reports to the Chair are:

* General Manager
* Chief Accounts Officer (Secretary)
* Chief Operating Manager
* Works Manager
* Chief Engineer

Mid level officers of the CTC include:

* Chief Medical Officer
* Controller of Stores
* Senior Engineers

Fleet

CTC operates 319 trams of which 239 are operational, but only 170 are running on the streets of Calcutta on a daily basis. The cars are single deck articulated cars with can carry 200 passengers (60 seated).

The early horsedrawn cars were imported from England, as were the steel tramcars before the 1952. After 1952, tram cars were built in India.

Technical details

Cars

* Length: 17.5 metres
* Width: 2.1 metres
* Weight: 20-22 tons (empty)

* Car manufacturer: ? - pre-1952 from England; post-1952 from India
* Years of manufacturer: ?
* Fleet no.: ?
* Fleet size: 319 trams of which 239 are operational, but only 170 operating
* Length: 17.5 metres
* Weight: 20-22 tons (empty)
* Seating: 60 per car
* Speed: 40 km/h (max); avg speed: 25 km/h
* Motor:
* Propulsion:
* Track gauge: 1435mm
* Brakes:

Advantages and criticism

ee also

*Trams in India

References

*Niyogi, S. "Shake, rattle & roll". The Sunday Story, Sunday Times of India, Kolkata, June 25, 2006. Available on [http://epaper.timesofindia.com/ Times of India e-paper] (free registration required).
*Pathak Pratap Shankar, The Sunday Story, Sunday Times of India, Kolkata

External links

* [http://www.calcuttatramways.com/ www.calcuttatramways.com] Official site.
* [http://www.wbgov.com/E-gov/English/Departments/DeptDetails.asp?DpId=250&LinkId=8&type=1 Department of Transport from the Government of West Bengal website]