Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) was a state-run company that operated trams and buses in and around Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) in West Bengal, India. The Kolkata tram is the only operating tramway in India and the oldest electric tram in India, operating since 1902.

CTC was merged into WBTC in 2016.West Bengal Transport Corporation constituted – CSTC, CTC and WBSTC merged in to WBTC

History

The first horse-drawn trams in India ran for between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street on 24 February 1873. The service was discontinued on 20 November of that year. 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 the Viceroy, Lord Ripon, on 1 November 1880. In 1882, steam locomotives were deployed experimentally to haul tram cars.

In 1900, the electrification of the tramway and conversion of its tracks to (standard gauge) began. The first electric tramcar in Calcutta ran from Esplanade to Kidderpore on 27 March 1902. In February 1943, the Calcutta and Howrah sections were connected by the new Howrah Bridge.

In 1951, the government of West Bengal entered an agreement with the Calcutta Tramways Company and the Calcutta Tramways Act of 1951 was enacted. The government assumed the tramways, reserving the right to purchase the system with two years' notice on 1 January 1972 or at any time thereafter. In 1967, the Government of West Bengal passed the Calcutta Tramways Company (Taking Over of Management) Act and assumed management on 19 July. On 8 November 1976, the Calcutta Tramways (Acquisition of Undertaking) ordinance was promulgated under which the company (and its assets) was nationalised.

The Tramways system had degraded by the 1990s, and Minister for Transport Shyamal Chakraborty planned to close the network. In the meantime, Calcutta Tramways Company introduced bus service on 4 November 1992 with a fleet of 40 buses. However, Melbourne tram conductor Roberto D'Andrea befriended fellow Calcutta conductors during a 1994 visit. When D'Andrea heard about the planned closure of tram network, he suggested an art project to decorate the trams (as was done in his home city). The project increased public awareness of the tram network and its value, ultimately saving it.

Trams

The Calcutta Tramways Company Ltd operates the Kolkata tram, currently the oldest electric tramway in Asia and India's only existent tram system, since 1873.

Buses With over 45 routes throughout Kolkata and its surrounding areas, CTC buses complement its tram service. The initial bus service was introduced from Rajabazar with a fleet of 40 buses, augmented in 1993 with service from Kidderpore depot. The Tollygunge and Belgachia depots were added in 1994 and 1995, respectively. In 2005 the CTC began bus service from Ghasbagan depot at Howrah.

Depots, terminals and workshops There are seven tram depots: Belgachia, Rajabazar, Park Circus, Gariahat, Tollygunge, Kalighat and Kidderpore. Rajabazar and Tollygunge depots are the largest in terms of tracks and area, respectively. and Kalighat tram depot is the oldest and smallest. There were tram depot at Joka and Ghasbagan, Howrah. Now a Bus Depot. There are also CTC bus depots in Barasat, Habra and Titagarh.

There are six tram terminals: Shyambazar, Bidhan Nagar Road, Ballygunge Station, Esplanade, Galiff Street, B.B.D. Bag (currently closed, work going on resume its services again) and Howrah Bridge. The Esplanade terminus serves most of the tram routes. Former tram terminals, all now either closed or converted into bus depots and terminals, had been at Shibpore, Bandhaghat, Bagbazar, Kolkata High Court, Nimtala, Behala, Sealdah Station, Howrah Station, Planetarium and Racecourse.

There is a central workshop near Mullickbazar: Nonapukur.

Routes

2 Tram routes currently operate in Kolkata. Recently AC tram was also introduced.

CTC Bus Routes

ACT1 Barasat – Kudghat via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 1, Baguihati, Ultadanga, E.M. Bypass, Science City, Ruby Hospital, Bosepukur, Ballygunge Station, Gariahat, Rashbehari, Tollygunge Tram Depot ACT4 Barasat – Salt Lake Karunamoyee via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 1, Chinar Park, Eco Park, Narkelbagan, New Town, College More ACT5 Barasat – Digha via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 1, Baguihati, Ultadanga, Maniktala, Esplanade, Santragachi, Jalan Complex, Dhulagarh, Ranihati, Nimdighi, Bagnan Library More, Kolaghat, Mecheda, Radhamoni, Nimtouri, Nandakumar, Norghat, Chandipur, Henria, Bajkul, Contai, Chaulkhola, Pichaboni, Old Digha ACT6A Shyambazar – Digha via Sovabazar, Girish Park, Central Avenue, Esplanade, Santragachi, Jalan Complex, Dhulagarh, Ranihati, Nimdighi, Bagnan Library More, Kolaghat, Mecheda, Radhamoni, Nimtouri, Nandakumar, Norghat, Chandipur, Henria, Bajkul, Contai, Chaulkhola, Pichaboni, Old Digha ACT7 Kolkata (Esplanade) – Mayapur via Sealdah, Maniktala, Kankurgachi, Ultadanga, Baguihati, Airport Gate 1, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Barasat Colony More, Amdanga, Awalsiddhi, Barajaguli More, Kalyani More, Birohi Chowmatha, Simurali Chowmatha, Chakdah Chowmatha, Ranaghat, Santipur Bypass, Dignagar, Bhatjangla More, Krishnanagar Nabadwip More, PWD More, Chowgacha, Bamanpukur ACT8 Habra – Digha via Ashoknagar, Duttapukur, Barasat Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 3, Dunlop, Nivedita Setu, Salap, Jalan Complex, Dhulagarh, Ranihati, Nimdighi, Bagnan Library More, Kolaghat, Mecheda, Radhamoni, Nimtouri, Nandakumar, Norghat, Chandipur, Henria, Bajkul, Contai, Chaulkhola, Pichaboni, Old Digha ACT8A Barasat – Digha via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 3, Dunlop, Nivedita Setu, Salap, Jalan Complex, Dhulagarh, Ranihati, Nimdighi, Bagnan Library More, Kolaghat, Mecheda, Radhamoni, Nimtouri, Nandakumar, Norghat, Chandipur, Henria, Bajkul, Contai, Chaulkhola, Pichaboni, Old Digha ACT10 Barasat – Asansol via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Airport Gate 3, Dunlop (Baranagar Road Station), Nivedita Setu, Dankuni Housing, Palsit Toll, Barddhaman Nababhat, Panagarh Bypass, Muchipara, Durgapur City Centre, Raniganj Punjabi More, Kalipahari, Chelidanga ACT12 Kolkata (Esplanade) – Asansol via Vidyasagar Setu, Santragachi, Salap, Dankuni Housing, Palsit Toll, Barddhaman Nababhat, Panagarh Bypass, Muchipara, Durgapur City Centre, Raniganj Punjabi More, Kalipahari, Chelidanga ACT15 Kolkata (Esplanade) – Bakkhali via P.G. Hospital, Bhabani Bhawan, Majherhat, Behala, Thakurpukur, Joka, Pailan, Khariberia, Amtala, Sirakole, Fatehpur, Dostipur, Sarisha Ashram More, Kapathat, Diamond Harbour, Hatuganj, Kulpi, Karanjali, Nischintapur, 5 No. Hat, Kakdwip, Ukilerhat, Namkhana Station, Lalpole, 10 Mile, Fraserganj ACT16 Salt Lake Karunamoyee – Suri via City Centre, Ultadanga, Baguihati, Airport Gate No.1, Dunlop (Baranagar Road Station), Dankuni Housing Estate, Palsit Toll, Saktigarh, Barddhaman Nababhat, Galsi, Budbud Bypass, Panagarh, Darjeeling More, Trilokechandrapur, Ilambazar, Sriniketan, Bolpur Jamboni Bus Stand, Panrui, Hatikara Bridge, Purandarpur ACT16A Barasat – Suri via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Airport Gate 3, Dunlop (Baranagar Road Station), Nivedita Setu, Dankuni Housing, Palsit Toll, Barddhaman Nababhat, Panagarh, Darjeeling More, Ilambazar, Sriniketan, Bolpur Jamboni Bus Stand, Panrui, Purandarpur ACT17 Kolkata (Esplanade) – Siliguri via Ultadanga, Airport Gate 1, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Barasat Colony More, Jagulia, Chakdah Chowmatha, Ranaghat, Shantipur Bypass, Krishnanagar Nabadwip More, Bethuadahari, Palashi, Beharampore, Palsanda, Moregram, Omarpur, Ahiran, Farakka, Kaliachak, Malda, Gazole, Itahar, Raiganj, Tungidighi, Karandighi, Dalkhola, Kishanganj, Islampur Bypass, Ghoshpukur, Bagdogra, Medical More, Noukaghat More, Airview More ACT21 Kolkata West International City – Ecospace via Salap, Lalbari, Santragachi, Belepole, Rabindra Sadan, Minto Park, Park Circus, 4 No. Bridge, Topsia, Science City, Chingrighata, College More, Technopolis, New Town, Narkelbagan, Unitech Gate 2, TCS Geetanjali Park ACT23 Dankuni Housing – Park Circus via Rajchanrapur, Bally Halt, Dakshineshwar, Dunlop, Mathkal, Durganagar, Airport Gate 3, Airport Gate 1, Chinar Park, Akansha, Eco Park, Narkelbagan, New Town, Technopolis, College More, SDF, Chingrighata, Science City, Topsia, 4 No. Bridge ACT23A Airport Gate 1 – Park Circus via Chinar Park, Akansha, Eco Park, Narkelbagan, New Town, Technopolis, College More, SDF, Chingrighata, Science City, Topsia, 4 No. Bridge ACT24 Rajabazar – Howrah Station via Barabazar, M.G. Road/Dalhousie ACT26 Howrah Station – Baruipur via Barabazar, Esplanade, Moulali, CIT Road, Chittaranjan Hospital, 4 No. Bridge, Topsia, Science City, Ruby Hospital, Kalikapur, Ajoynagar, Hiland Park, Patuli, Dhalai Bridge, Kamalgazi, Narendrapur, Rajpur, Harinavi, Gobindapur, Padmapukur, Shibanipith, Rabindra Bhawan, Puratan Bazar, Phooltala Bus Terminal ACT26A Howrah Station – Kamalgazi via Barabazar, Esplanade, Moulali, CIT Road, Chittaranjan Hospital, 4 No. Bridge, Topsia, Science City, Ruby Hospital, Kalikapur, Ajoynagar, Hiland Park, Patuli, Dhalai Bridge ACT32 Howrah Station – Barrackpore Court via Barabazar, M.G. Road, Central Avenue, Girish Park, Sovabazar, Shyambazar, Sinthee More, Dunlop, Rathtala, Kamarhati, Sodepur Traffic More, Balaram Hospital, Khardah, Tata Gate, Titagarh Bazar, Talpukur Bazar, Barrackpore Chiria More, Barrackpore Cantonment, Dhobi Ghat ACT33 Baruipur – Salt Lake / Ecospace via Phooltala Bus Terminal, Puratan Bazar, Rabindra Bhawan, Shibanipith, Padmapukur, Gobindapur, Harinavi, Rajpur, Narendrapur, Kamalgazi, Dhalai Bridge, Patuli, Hiland Park, Ajoynagar, Kalikapur, Ruby Hospital, Science City, Chingrighata, College More, Technopolis, New Town, Narkelbagan, Unitech Gate 2, TCS Geetanjali Park ACT33A Kamalgazi – Salt Lake / Ecospace via Dhalai Bridge, Patuli, Hiland Park, Ajoynagar, Kalikapur, Ruby Hospital, Science City, Chingrighata, College More, Technopolis, New Town, Narkelbagan, Unitech Gate 2, TCS Geetanjali Park ACT34 Tollygunge – Barrackpore Lalkuthi via Rashbehari, Hazra, Rabindra Sadan, Esplanade, Central Avenue, Girish Park, Sovabazar, Shyambazar, Sinthee More, Dunlop, Rathtala, Kamarhati, Sodepur Traffic More, Balaram Hospital, Khardah, Tata Gate, Titagarh Bazar, Talpukur Bazar, Barrackpore Chiria More, Barrackpore Station ACT35 Barasat – Joka via Champadali, Madhyamgram Chowmatha, Birati More, Airport Gate 1, Chinar Park, Eco Park, Narkelbagan, New Town, College More, SDF, Chingrighata, Science City, Ruby Hospital, Bosepukur, Ballygunge Station, Gariahat, Rashbehari, New Alipore, Taratala, Behala, Sakherbazar, Sealpara, Thakurpukur ACT36 Belgachia – Ecospace via R.G. Kar Hospital, Shyambazar, Khanna, Ultadanga, City Centre, Bikash Bhawan, Karunamoyee, College More, Technopolis, New Town, Tata Medical Centre, TCS Geetanjali Park ACT37 Howrah Station – Diamond Harbour via Barabazar, Esplanade, P.G. Hospital, Bhabani Bhawan, Majherhat, Behala, Thakurpukur, Joka, Pailan, Khariberia, Amtala, Sirakole, Fatehpur, Dostipur, Sarisha Ashram More, Diamond Harbour Station, Diamond Harbour Jetty Ghat, Nagendrabazar ACT38 Salt Lake Karunamoyee – Barrackpore Lalkuthi via College More, Technopolis, New Town, Narkelbagan, Eco Park, Akansha, Chinar Park, Airport Gate 1, Durganagar, Mathkal, Dunlop, Dakshineshwar, Rathtala, Kamarhati, Sodepur Traffic More, Balaram Hospital, Khardah, Tata Gate, Titagarh Bazar, Talpukur Bazar, Barrackpore Chiria More, Barrackpore Station ACT41 R.G. Kar Hospital – Joka via Shyambazar, Sealdah, Bowbazar, Dalhousie, Babughat, Khidderpore, Mominpore, Majherhat, Behala Tram Depot, Behala Chowrasta, Sakherbazar, Sealpara, Thakurpukur