CTC aims to renovate old trams

A function will be held at the Gariahat tram depot on Saturday where the business houses will be present. There are nearly a dozen trams which have been grounded. It is not possible for CTC to make them operational because that will involve huge money.

The trams will be repaired and thoroughly renovated. The trams will have coffee shops, television with LED screen, the interior will be decorated where paintings will be hung and the exterior will have new coat of paints. The CTC will repair the tracks. On special occasions and festivals there will be performances by musical groups during the journey.

The Calcutta Tramway Corporation Ltd was set up in 1880 and was registered in London. Meter gauge horse drawn tracks were laid from Sealdah to Armenian ghat via Bowbazar, Dalhousie Square and Strand Road and the route was inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Ripon. The first electric tram car in Asia ran from Esplanade to Kidderpore on March 27, 1902 and from Esplanade to Kalighat on June 14, 1902.

A senior CTC official said attempts have been made to popularise the tram and maintain its long heritage. He said in absence of graded track, vehicle often block the tracks affecting movement of trams. Trams are pollution free and if steps are taken then its past glory can be regained once again, he said.