Last ride into the sunset

While the world today grapples with the complexity of transitioning into greener modes of transportation, Calcutta has had the Electric Tram at her disposal since 1902, following brief flirtations with the horse-drawn and steam variants. However, contrary to common sense, the Calcutta Tram is on the fast track to extinction owing to, often poorly substantiated reasons, like traffic jams and low occupancy. In the months that I spent photographing these last remaining streetcars and their riders, these did come across as challenges, but not insurmountable ones at that. Given the heritage that these trams represent, and the very tangible benefits of zero emission, there should have been enough incentive for planning and conservation, but that has long ceased to be the case. Through the winter of 2023-24, when I undertook this project, I kept running into the same group of loyal commuters that have kept the last few routes alive, and this project is a homage as much to the trams as it is to these people. At its peak, Calcutta Tramways, the oldest operating Tramway in Asia, had a fleet size of over 300. Today, less than 15 cars are in use. 2023 was the 150th year of trams in Calcutta.