Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

On November 1, 1880, Bengal's viceroy, Lord Ripon, inaugurated the horse-drawn tram service between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat. The horse-drawn carriages made their entry into the public transport system once the trams gained popularity. But the horse-drawn carriages lived in glory for only about a century. In 1899, a UK-based company introduced two motorcars, both painted red, as the first motor-driven taxis in the city. As they gained popularity, French Motors started a taxi company in the city. Then, the Landmasters, Fords and Buicks ruled the streets. After independence, Ambassadors replaced all other vehicles. But, I'm talking about the past and present of horse-drawn carriages in Kolkata. In ancient Calcutta, horse-drawn carriages were the one and only vehicle used by the baboos and common people. And even in the decade of 80, more than 3,000 carriages (tangas) were running in Kolkata. In the mid-60s, the government restricted its movement. Tangas started pl...