Travel back in time as the city prepares to say goodbye to the iconic tram

On Sunday afternoon, about 70 people gathered at the Gariahat tram depot to travel back in time, a tram ride that may be the last of its kind. Conceptualized by Mudar Patherya, The Last Great Trolley Party It took place to celebrate the 151st anniversary of its heritage, following the announcement of the World Bank government proposing to stop the trams blocking the heritage area between the Maidan and the Esplanade. While the city awaited the final decision, the tram rolled from Gariahat towards the Esplanade. It is decorated with balloons and streamers. The rhythmic clacking of the wheels enveloped the passengers in a nostalgic mood.

“I cannot imagine a Calcutta without trams. As a visual artist and sketch artist, the tram has been the motif of many of my sketches. This is not just a topic but also a feeling for us artists,” said artist and lawyer Avidip Kundu, who attended the event.
City-based climate activist Somini Sen Dua, who was at the event, said: “The tram is one of the most environmentally friendly means of transport and still exists in Europe. The thought of losing this part of our heritage makes me incredibly sad. “As we prepare to say goodbye to him today, we do so through music and art to celebrate what he meant to us.”
Quotes:

– “If you want to save Calcutta, you have to save the tram. One of my first memories of the tram was my daily commute as a school boy on the then Marquis Street-Park Circus route” – Jayant Kriplani, actor-director

– “We Calcuttans believe in the slow lifestyle and the tram has been the symbol of this. It is intertwined with the identity of the city. While the only constant is change, the last tram party brings back many fond memories” – Narayan Chandra Sinha, artist-sculptor
– “The aim is to send a message that we will miss it. I wanted to change the narrative, the way people feel about the trams being stopped, so today we celebrate its legacy rather than lamenting it” – Mudar Patherya, organizer of the event