Tamil Nadu Timeline

InfrastructureEast India Company rule

First train in South India, Royapuram to Wallajah Road

· Royapuram railway station

First train in South India, Royapuram to Wallajah Road
Darren Burnham, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Madras Railway opened South India's first railway line, from Royapuram in Madras to Wallajah Road near Arcot.

The Madras Railway's Royapuram terminus was opened on 28 June 1856 by Governor Lord Harris, and the line was opened for traffic on 1 July 1856. The first train carried the Governor and about 300 Europeans from Royapuram to Walajapet near Arcot, with a dinner held at Ambur. It was the first railway line in South India. Royapuram is the oldest railway station in India still in operation after Howrah.

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