Buses are nearly an inevitable mode of transport for most people in West Bengal. This form of transport is not limited by rail or tracks and can access even the remote parts of the state. Buses ply both in cities and villages. In fact some remote villages of West Bengal are served by a single bus only throughout the day. Both state - run buses and private buses serve million of commuters' everyday.

State corporations, like the Calcutta State Transport Corporation, West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation, South Bengal State Transport Corporation and North Bengal State Transport Corporation operate bus services. However, most of the buses are privately owned. The public buses are more comfortable with wider spaces but are less frequent than private buses. They are classified as Limited Stop buses, Morning to Sundown Buses, Specials, Express Services and the like. The privately run buses include different types of buses like the minibus and may include chartered buses and small buses.

The total length of railway in the state is around 4481 km. Kolkata, the state capital, is the headquarters of the two divisions of the Indian Railways. The two divisions are Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway. The Northeast Frontier Railway provides transportation in the northern parts of the state and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a part of the NFR and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The state of West Bengal has two commercial airports. The first one is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and the second one is the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri. The Bagdogra airport initially served domestic services, but recently they have started international services to Paro, Bhutan and Bangkok, Thailand. The state also has two major docks; they are Kolkata docks and Haldia docks.

Tram in Kolkata is perfectly termed as 'Kolkata's very own Heritage'. Winding in its characteristic slow pace through the bustling city of Kolkata it provides non-polluting, eco-friendly but inexpensive mode of mechanical transport for getting around in Kolkata. Kolkata happens to be the only city in India and among the very few in the world that still possesses Tram. The Kolkata trams are operating from 1873 and the city continues to bask in its old world charm with the trams. The city certainly looks more romantic when viewed from the window of a leisurely moving tram.

West Bengal Metro Rail is the underground rail network and is the most convenient way to get around in the busy city of Kolkata. Kolkata Metro Rail has been in operation since 1984 and is the first underground Metro Rail in the whole of India. It is held in high esteem throughout the world for its efficient functioning, cleanliness, comfort and time - saving quality.

Rickshaw is a mode of transport, which in West Bengal is available almost always as human - powered. The word Rickshaw derives from jinrikisha, which literally means human-powered vehicle in Japanese. They were introduced in Kolkata in the year 1900 by the Chinese immigrants but stayed back as a popular mode of transportation. For those residing outside west Bengal, Rickshaw has been immortalized by Dominique Lapierre's City of Joy. Several streets in West Bengal have been closed for heavy vehicles for safety and rickshaws are the only option in such streets. They are perfect for short distance traveling and are preferred by many when one wants to reach exactly near his destination over a short distance. Rickshaws can easily glide through narrow lanes and streets and so are always in demand.

Circular Rail is one of the convenient ways of getting around in Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. Previously, the central part of Kolkata was not served by any rail network unlike other big cities. With the increasing population the demand for a rail network within the city was high. Circular Rail running through the banks of Hoogly River in Kolkata provided the necessary solution. Maintained by the Eastern Railways it is now providing excellent connectivity throughout the city.

Last updated on 06/05/2013