Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Sept. 10, 2024

The Coonoor railway station which is part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) line is being completely transformed as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and is criticized by heritage train and history enthusiasts.

About Nilgiri Mountain Railway:

Location: The Railway line from Mettupalaiyam to Ooty is 45.88 km. long and lies partly in the Coimbatore District and partly in Nilgiri District of Tamilnadu, on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.
It is fondly called the Ooty toy train of the Nilgiris Railway Company, first chugged up the hills on June 15, 1899.
History:
- It was in 1854, that the first plans were made to build a mountain Railway from Mettupalaiyam to the Nilgiri Hills.
- But it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and complete the construction and installation of the line.
- The line was completed and opened for traffic in June 1899.
- It was operated first by the Madras Railway under an agreement with the Government.
In 2005, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining the ranks of India’s other famous mountain railways, such as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway.
This designation underscores the railway’s cultural and historical importance, as well as its role in showcasing India’s rich heritage.