Calcutta Tramways Proposed Route Map of 1880.
Rare Calcutta Tramways Company’s proposed route map of 1880. This is a rare proposed route map of Calcutta trams before the tram system even began operations in Calcutta. The “Description” shown on the lower left reads “Proposed Lines of Tramways shewn thus” (shown in red line), “Important Public Buildings shewn thus” (in black line), “Population — 34,551”. No date is shown on this map.
What is notable is that there are no other existing tram lines shown on the map, only the proposed red tram lines can be seen. All this indicates this map was for the proposed new tram track system for Calcutta City. It may have been in the use of the board of directors of the Calcutta Tramways Company. It was in 1880 that the Calcutta Tramway Company Limited was formed and registered in London on 22nd December. The horse-drawn tram was the first to be operated in Calcutta in 1883.
There are route numbers specified on the map. These are from 1 to 8 only. Route No. 1 is “Cornwall & GPO”., Route No.2 is “Chitppoor Road & GPO”., Route No.3 is “Sealdah & GPO”, and so on. Please see the map for more route details. The important buildings are marked in black. Steam trams were introduced in 1883 it plied the streets till 1902. Electric trams were introduced in 1902 and are still in operation to date. Railway lines, the Hooghly and Fort Williams are also visible on the map.
Did you know – by the end of the century, the Calcutta Tramways Company owned 166 tram cars, 1,000 horses, seven steam locomotives, and 19 miles of track.
Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., European Ladies Enjoying Sailing In Purulia, Bengal, 1890 Photo., Tiger Hunt On Elephant back British India – Old Postcard 1905.
