Kolkata Transport
The two major railway stations of the city are at Howrah and Sealdah. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways are headquartered in the city. The electrified suburban rail network of the SER and the ER is extensive and includes the Circular Rail. The city also has South Asia's oldest underground metro railway. Till mid 2005 it was the only underground metro railway in the Indian subcontinent.
Kolkata is the only city in India to have a tram network
The city has an extensive bus network and taxis, autorickshaws and rickshaws are plenty in number.
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is at Dum Dum.
Kolkata is also a major port and together with the Haldia dock systems, the Kolkata Port Trust has been amongst top performers in the country.
Kolkata, as Calcutta is called now, has the maximum number of travel options for intra-city or inter-city transportation. Airplane and helicopter services, in addition to long-distance trains and ships bring people into the city. The circular rail and transport corporation buses cater to nearer destinations. Catamaran and ferry services exist for riverine traffic.
The Underground Metro, city buses, mini-buses, taxis and trams allow commuters to travel from one end of the city to the other. Hand-pulled rickshaws vie with autorickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for short-distance travel. Horsecarts can be availed for pleasure rides around the Maidan - the green hub of the city. With all these modes of transport, one would wonder why getting around Calcutta is still an ordeal!
Kolkata, as Calcutta is called now, has the maximum number of travel options for intra-city or inter-city transportation. Airplane and helicopter services, in addition to long-distance trains and ships bring people into the city. The circular rail and transport corporation buses cater to nearer destinations. Catamaran and ferry services exist for riverine traffic.
The Underground Metro, city buses, mini-buses, taxis and trams allow commuters to travel from one end of the city to the other. Hand-pulled rickshaws vie with autorickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for short-distance travel. Horsecarts can be availed for pleasure rides around the Maidan - the green hub of the city. With all these modes of transport, one would wonder why getting around Calcutta is still an ordeal!
Public transportation, such as buses, trams, trains, and subways, are the principal means of transport in the Calcutta metropolitan area. Buses operate throughout the area, and trains have north-south lines with a few east-west connections.
There are two major train terminals: Sealdah in the east central part of Calcutta and Hâora across the river from the Central Business District. Electric trams operate in Calcutta proper. The aging buses, trains, and tram cars suffer from overloading, creating uncomfortable rides. Subway construction started in 1972 and became operational with 7 km of line in 1984.
By 1995 all of the subway's 16.4-km route from Dum Dum to Tolluguye was completed. The subway carries an estimated 25 percent of Calcutta's 7 million commuters. Cycle rickshaws are not allowed in the city of Calcutta, but they are common in the metropolitan area. Hand-pulled carts are used for short-distance cargo hauling. Private automobiles, extensively used in Calcutta and Hâora, are increasing in numbers and are owned by the wealthy.
Air pollution caused by automobiles, buses, and industrial emissions is severe. Calcutta's international airport at Dum Dum is about 19 km from the city centre and provides service for both national and international airlines.