Trams in India - Revision history

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{{Short description|Details of trams in India}}
'''Trams in India''' were established in the late-19th century. Horse-drawn [[tram]]s were introduced in [[Kolkata]] in 1873; electric trams began in [[Chennai]] in 1895, and trams were also introduced in [[Mumbai]], [[Kanpur]], and [[Delhi]]. They were discontinued in all Indian cities between 1933 and 1964, except for [[Trams in Kolkata|Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=R.V. |title=When trams plied |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/when-trams-plied/article4424975.ece |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

==Kolkata==
{{main|Trams in Kolkata}}
[[Image:Kolkata transport.jpg|thumb|alt=Two-car, white-and-orange tram|Tram in Kolkata]]

Trams in [[Kolkata]] (formerly Calcutta), [[West Bengal]] are operated by the [[West Bengal Transport Corporation]] (WBTC). It is the only operating tram network in India<ref name=onlytram>{{Cite news|title = Reaching India | url= http://timesfoundation.indiatimes.com/articleshow/657741.cms|access-date=27 February 2012 |publisher=Times Internet Limited|location=New Delhi}}</ref> and the oldest operating electric tram in Asia, running since 1902.<ref name="Kolkata trams to get a GenX makeover">{{cite news|title=Kolkata trams to get a GenX makeover|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/kolkata/32662823_1_tram-network-lrt-institute-of-urban-transport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927133900/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/kolkata/32662823_1_tram-network-lrt-institute-of-urban-transport|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 July 2012}}</ref> There are 257 trams in total, of which 125 used to run daily on the Kolkata streets, but now only 35 trams run daily.<ref name="Bankrupt CTC to introduce two more AC trams">{{cite news|title=Bankrupt CTC to introduce two more AC trams|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-14/kolkata/41408969_1_calcutta-tramways-company-ac-tourism-department|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130816084035/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-14/kolkata/41408969_1_calcutta-tramways-company-ac-tourism-department|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 August 2013}}</ref> The single-deck articulated cars can carry 200 passengers (60 seated).

The first horse-drawn trams in India ran a {{convert|2.4|mi|km|adj=on}} distance between [[Sealdah]] and Armenian Ghat Street on 24 February, 1873. The service was discontinued on 20 November of that year.<ref name="calcuttatramways.com">[http://www.calcuttatramways.com/history.aspx] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927004918/http://www.calcuttatramways.com/history.aspx |date=2013-09-27 }} CTC website. Accessed 16 August 2013.</ref> The Calcutta Tramway Company was formed and registered in London on 22 December, 1880. Metre-gauge horse-drawn tram tracks were laid from Sealdah to Armenian Ghat via Bowbazar Street, Dalhousie Square and Strand Road. The route was inaugurated by [[George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon|Viceroy Ripon]] on 1 November, 1880.<ref name="calcuttatramways.com"/> In 1882, steam locomotives were deployed experimentally to haul tram cars. By the end of the 19th century, the company owned 166 tram cars, 1,000 horses, seven steam locomotives and 19 miles of tram tracks.<ref name="calcuttatramways.com"/> In 1900, electrification of the tramway and reconstruction of its tracks to {{RailGauge|ussg}} ([[standard gauge]]) began.<ref name="calcuttatramways.com"/> In 1902, the first electric tramcar in India ran from [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]] to [[Kidderpore]] on 27 March and on 14 June from Esplanade to [[Kalighat]].

==Mumbai==
[[File:Best-doubledecker-tram.jpg|thumb|alt=See caption|1920s double-decker tram in Mumbai]]

A mass public-transport system for [[Mumbai]] (then Bombay) was proposed in 1865 by an American company, which applied for a licence to operate a [[Horsecar|horse-drawn]] [[tram]] system. Although a licence was granted, the project was never realised due to the city's economic depression.

The Bombay Tramway Company was set up in 1873. After a contract was signed between the Bombay Tramway Company, the municipality and the Stearns and Kitteredge company, the Bombay Presidency enacted the Bombay Tramways Act, 1874 licensing the company to run a horsecar tram service in the city.<ref>{{cite book |title=Quarterly journal of the Local Self Government Institute (Mumbai) |chapter=Growth of Mumbai & its Municipal Corporation|year= 1976|page=13}}</ref> On 9 May, 1874, the first horse-drawn carriage made its début in the city, plying the [[Colaba]]–[[Pydhone]] via [[Crawford Market]], and [[Bori Bunder]] to [[Pydhonie]] via [[Kalbadevi]] routes. The initial fare was three [[Indian anna|annas]] (15 [[Paisa|paise]] pre-decimalisation), and no tickets were issued. As the service became increasingly popular, the fare was reduced to two annas (10 pre-decimalisation paise). Later that year, tickets were issued to curb increasing ticket-less travel.<ref>{{cite book |title=Mumbai, the city of dreams: a history of the first city in India |last=David|first=M. D.|year=1995 |publisher=Himalaya Publishing House|pages=199–200}}</ref> Stearns and Kitteredge reportedly had a stable of 1,360 horses over the lifetime of the service.<ref name="haltstn">{{cite book |last1=Aklekar |first1=Rajendra B |title=Halt station India : the dramatic tale of the nation's first rail lines |year=2014 |publisher=[[Rupa & Co]] |isbn=9788129134974 |page=193 |access-date=23 April 2019 |url=http://rupapublications.co.in/books/halt-station-india/ }}</ref>

In 1899, the Bombay Tramway Company applied to the municipality to operate electric trams. In 1904, the [[British Electric Traction Company]] applied for a license to supply electricity to the city with the Brush Electrical Engineering Company its agent. It received the Bombay electric license on 31 July, 1905, signed by Bombay Tramways Company, the Bombay Municipality and the Brush Electrical Company. In 1905, the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramway Company (BEST) was formed. BEST received a monopoly on electric supply and an electric tram service in the city, and bought the Bombay Tramway Company's assets for {{INR|9850000}}.<ref name="Company">{{cite web|url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |title=Electricity Arrives in Mumbai |access-date=12 October 2006 |publisher=BEST Undertaking |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006 }}</ref> Two years later, the first electric tram debuted in the city. Later that year, a {{convert|4300|kW|hp}} [[steam power]] generator was commissioned at Wari Bunder. In 1916, a power purchase from [[Tata Power]] (a private company) began, and by 1925, all power generation was outsourced from Tata.<ref name="Electricity">{{cite web|url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |title=Electricity Arrives in Mumbai |access-date=12 October 2006 |publisher=BEST Undertaking |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008192531/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |archive-date=8 October 2006 }}</ref> To ease rush-hour traffic, [[double-decker tram]]s were introduced in September, 1920. The trams met travellers' needs until the betterment of the city's train network, and the service closed on 31 March, 1964.<ref name="Indian trams">[http://www.tramz.com/tva/in.html Tram views of Asia] Retrieved 2011-03-16.</ref>

==Nashik==
Trams in [[Nashik]] (then Nasik) were built in 1889 as {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow gauge]]. The consulting engineer was [[Everard Calthrop]], later known with the [[Barsi Light Railway]]. Originally, the tram used two carriages pulled by four horses. It ran from the present Old Municipal Corporation building on Main Road to the [[Nasik Road railway station]], a distance of 8 to 10 km. The stretch between Nashik and Nashik Road was jungle-covered, and the only mode of transport from the station to the city was horse-drawn carriage or one of two taxis. The tram ceased operations between 1931 and 1933.

==Chennai==
[[Tram|Trams]] in [[Chennai]] (then Madras) also called as [[Madras Tramways]] which operated between the docks and the inland areas, carrying goods and passengers. When the system began on 7 May, 1895, it was India's oldest [[electric tram]] system and it is the '''first''' [[electric tram]] system in [[India]]. The original conduit system was replaced by a conventional overhead wire system after a series of destructive [[Monsoon|monsoons]]. The trams could carry heavy loads and were popular, with thousands of riders daily. The route included [[Anna Salai|Mount Road]], [[Parry's Corner]], [[Poonamallee High Road, Chennai|Poonamallee Road]] and the [[Ripon Building]]. At its height in 1921, 97 cars ran on {{convert|24|km}} of track. The tram company went bankrupt about 1950, and the system closed on 12 April 1953.<ref name="Indian trams"/>

==Kanpur==
In June 1907, trams were introduced in [[Kanpur]] (then Cawnpore). There were {{convert|4|mi}} of track and 20 single-deck open trams. The single-track line connected the railway station with Sirsaya Ghat on the banks of the [[Ganges]]. Photographs of Cawnpore trams are rare. The introductory stock was electric-traction single-coach; single-coach trams were also used in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The service was discontinued on 16 May, 1933.<ref name="Indian trams"/>

==Kerala==
The [[Cochin State Forest Tramway]] was a {{RailGauge|1000mm|allk=on}}<ref>[http://irfca.org/articles/CochinStateForestTramwayJournal.doc Journal on the Cochin State Forest Tramway]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010455160600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120045834/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010455160600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-01-20|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tramway to a trade empire
|date=2010-01-04|access-date=2013-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1410735.ece|title=Public to get glimpses of the marvel of erstwhile tramway|publisher=The New Indian Express|access-date=2013-03-17}}</ref> forest tramway running from the [[Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary]] in [[Palakkad district]] to [[Chalakudy]] in [[Thrissur district]]. Operating from 1907 to 1963, it served then [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin state]] (now part of Kerala) and brought [[teak]] and [[rosewood]] from forests for global shipment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010455160600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120045834/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/04/stories/2010010455160600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-01-20|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tramway to a trade empire |date=2010-01-04|access-date=2013-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1410735.ece|title=Public to get glimpses of the marvel of erstwhile tramway|publisher=The New Indian Express|access-date=2013-03-17}}</ref>

==Delhi==
[[File:A tram in Delhi - LIFE (2).jpg|thumb|A tram in Delhi]]
Trams in [[Delhi]] began operation on 6 March, 1908. At its zenith in 1921, there were 24 open cars on {{convert|15|km}} of track. [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]], [[Chandni Chowk]], [[Chawri Bazar|Chawri Bazaar]], Katra Badiyan, [[Lalkuan|Lal Kuan, Delhi]] and Fatehpuri were linked with Sabzi Mandi, [[Sadar Bazaar, Delhi|Sadar Bazar]], [[Paharganj]], [[Gates of Delhi|Ajmeri Gate]], Bara Hindu Rao and [[Tis Hazari]].<ref>[http://www.firstpost.com/delhi/trams-set-to-make-a-comeback-on-delhis-streets-2381120.html]</ref> The system closed in 1963 due to urban congestion.<ref name="Indian trams"/>

==Patna==
[[Patna]] had [[Horsecar|horse-drawn trams]] as urban transport.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204515/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-23/patna/27949532_1_patna-saheb-patna-city-paschim-darwaza "First-ever book on Patna soon". ''The Times of India'', September 23, 2008] Retrieved 2011-03-16.</ref> The tram in Patna ran in the populated area of Ashok Rajpath, from Patna City to [[Bankipore]], with its western terminus at Sabzibagh (opposite the Pirbahore police station). It was discontinued in 1903, due to low ridership, and plans to extend the route westward never materialised.

==Bhavnagar==
[[Bhavnagar]] had a {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} narrow-gauge tram built by [[Bhavnagar State]]. The first section was built in 1926 from [[Bhavnagar]] south to [[Talaja, Bhavnagar|Talaja]], and was extended to [[Mahuva (Surat district)|Mahuva]] in 1938. The total length of the tramway was {{convert|67.5|mi}}. The tramway used small [[4-8-0]] locomotives later classified as T class. In 1947, the tramway was taken over by the [[Saurashtra Railway]], and later by the [[Western Railway (India)|Western Railway]].<ref name=Hughes>Hughes, Hugh 1994 ''Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940''. Continental Railway Circle.</ref> It was closed during the 1960s.

==See also==
* [[Urban rail transit in India]]
* [[Rail transport in India]]
* [[List of tram and light rail transit systems]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Tram transport in India}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051219055921/http://www.calcuttatramways.com/schedules.htm Tram routes and fares]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051219051453/http://www.calcuttatramways.com/home.htm Calcutta Tramways Company website]
* [https://tripinfi.com/trams-in-india/ Trams in India – Facts and History]



{{Trams in India}}
{{Transport in India}}
{{Rapid transit in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trams In India}}
[[Category:Tram transport in India]]