See Kolkata's heritage sites sitting in air-conditioned tram

Kolkata, July 2: People can now get see Kolkata's landmarks while seated comfortably in plush interiors - thanks to an air-conditioned tram that has recently started ferrying passengers across the eastern metropolis.

The air-conditioned car of 133-year-old Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) with a capacity of 24 passengers and equipped with state-of-the art amenities conducts heritage rides to the north and south of the city.

"There are two sets of rides. One starts at 7 a.m. and the other in the afternoon to evening slot starting at 3, 5, and 7 p.m. The morning ride takes one to the north of the city while the evening ones cover the south," CTC spokesperson Aniruddha Bhattacharya told IANS.

On the itinerary for the north Kolkata trip are the iconic Jorasanko Thakurbari (Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home) and Nakhoda Masjid (city's principal mosque), while the sprawling Maidan and the famous Victoria Memorial can be seen in the afternoon tours.

Starting off in the heart of the city at Esplanade, passengers are provided meal. The tram also makes a brief stop-over at the Maidan.

Tickets can be booked at the tram terminus in Esplanade but soon enthusiasts will be able to avail online booking facility too.

"There is only one tram running now but another AC tram is being readied in the workshop," said Bhattacharya.

IANS