Bombay Trams

Image Source: https://www.past-india.com/photos-items/horse-drawn-tram-in-mumbai-old-photo-1900

This old 1900 photo depicts a Horse-Drawn Tram plying with passengers in Bombay present day Mumbai. On a closer look with a magnifier, the board on the top of the Tram reads Victoria Gardens To Colaba. It was similar to Calcutta’s Horse-drawn Tram system which started in 1873. 
The first horse tram, begun on 9 May 1874 on two routes Colaba to Pydhonie via Crawford Market, and Bori Bunder to Pydhonie. It were drawn by two horses and some trams even by six to eight horses. The cost of riding the tram was one annas which had speed of 5 miles per hour. These trams served the for almost 90 years. The Britishers proposed the project in 1864 and awarded the contract to the company – Stearns and Kitteredge in 1873. The areas connected by tram was Grant Road, Pydhonie, Girgaum, Byculla bridge and Sassoon Dock. After the introduction of electric trams, the route was extended till King Circle. Dadar was the main tram terminus, till today it is known as Dadar T.T.


In 1907, Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Company (BEST) took over and introduced electric trams. Electricity generated for the tramways was provided by the Tatas from 1916 onwards. Later double decker trams were introduced in 1920.

First Electric Tram Bombay


On May 7, 1907, the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Company (B.E.S.T.) purchased Bombay Tramway Company Limited (B.T.C.L.) and began operating the city’s first electric tram system, shortly after the horse-drawn tram system closed down.

Double Decker Tram

Double-deck tram service began in September 1920. At the peak of service in 1935, 433 trams ran on 47 kilometres.


By 31st March 1964 the trams were abandoned due to growth in traffic and fast paced life of Mumbai.

But now trams may make a comeback as part of BKC smart transport plan. The LRT would mean a return of trams to Mumbai, where they were phased out in 1964 after decades of service. Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) could soon get a triple transport bonanza if all goes according to plan.

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