Chennai, June 28 (Representative) Showcasing the vestiges of its former architectural splendour, the hoary Royapuram Railway Station coming under the Southern Railway, today completed 166 years of its existence and continues to remain as the oldest Railway station currently operational in the Indian sub-continent. Opened for traffic on June 28, 1856, Royapuram is located on the Chennai Beach-Arakkonam section in the jurisdiction of Chennai Division. Presently, 40 pairs of EMU Trains and seven pairs of Express Trains (Non stop) are being dealt with everyday. With a footfall of 10,500 per month, the Royapuram Halt Station registers a average monthly earnings of Rs.one lakh.
Tracing the history of the station, Southern Railway officials said the reconstitution of Madras Railway Company in the year 1849 revived the plans for a new railway line in South India and Royapuram was chosen as the location for the new station as it was on the edge of a settlement of British traders and natives near Fort St. George. Work on the southern line began in 1853 and the railway line was extended from Royapuram to Arcot, then titular capital of the Nawab of the Carnatic (the present day Walajapet, near Ranipet in Tamil Nadu). Royapuram railway station was opened as the main terminus on June 28, 1856 by the then Governor Lord Harris and the first railway line in South India was opened for traffic on July one, 1856. The Royapuram station imprinted its mark in the annals of Railways’ rich history by hosting the first passenger service in South India. On the inaugural day of the first railway line in South India, South India’s first passenger train was operated from Royapuram to Wallajah Road in Arcot, a distance of 60 miles (97 Km). The first train, manufactured by Simpson and Company, started its journey with Governor Lord Harris and 300 Europeans. On the same day, one more train service was operated from Royapuram to Tiruvallur. The second train carried Indian invitees to a shorter distance till “Triveloor” (the present day Tiruvallur).
Royapuram railway station also remained the headquarters of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway till 1922, when the headquarters was shifted to Egmore. The officials said the 166-year-old station still showcases the vestiges of its former architectural splendor. It remains as the oldest surviving railway station structures of the Indian Railways, as well as the Indian subcontinent. The heritage structure built in classical style of the Renaissance period was designed by William Adelpi Tracey. In 2005, the building was refurbished at a cost of Rs 35 lakhs and was re-opened to the public on October 2, 2005. Presently, one end of the station is being used for the transport of goods trains and the platform adjacent to the main building is utilized for passenger trains. The Justice Padmanabhan committee, constituted by the Tamil Nadu government, has identified the station as among the 800 heritage structures. As per the city’s list of heritage structures, the station is under the Grade-I category which includes buildings/properties that are of exceptional national/regional importance with unique features and are the prime landmarks of the city. Southern Railway is committed to preserve and maintain the heritage structures in its jurisdiction and Royapuram railway station will continue to be a jewel in the crown of Indian Railways as it completed 166 years today.