The Hindu's video: Inside India s oldest surviving railway station The Hindu

The Royapuram railway station in Chennai is India’s oldest surviving railway station. This station is still functional even as it enters its 167th year. The Royapuram station sent the first train of southern India chugging out, on June 28, 1856. The first passenger train carried the Governor of Madras Presidency, Lord Harris and 300 European delegates. It was operated from the Royapuram railway terminus to Wallajah Road which is now called Walajabad in Kancheepuram district. On the same day, a second train was operated from the railway terminus to ‘Triveloor’ - presently known as Tiruvallur. It was inaugurated on July 1, 1856 by the then Governor, Lord Harris. It remained Chennai’s main railway station till 1907. It also remained the headquarters of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway until 1922. It was then shifted to Egmore. The Royapuram station was built by Madras Railway Company. The heritage building was designed by William Adelpi Tracey. Royapuram was selected as the site as it was on the edge of a settlement of British traders and locals near Fort St. George. In 2005 it was renovated keeping the old structure intact at a cost of ₹35 lakh. Unlike the Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations, the Royapuram railway station is mostly isolated with only a few commuters dropping in to take one of the few odd trains that currently stop at the station. Passengers believe that improving amenities like the extension of the foot-overbridge to the south side of the railway station, installing of closed circuit television cameras and posting of parking contractors, would help in the Royapuram railway station regaining its past glory. The demand for making this railway station the fourth railway terminus among the residents of north Chennai also remains a dream. Thank you for watching our video! You can subscribe to our channel here: https://bit.ly/3c8Adi6 Visit https://www.thehindu.com/ for the latest updates, analysis, opinions, and more. You can also download our apps: Android: https://bit.ly/3nboBEi iOs: https://apple.co/3EDCwt4 The Hindu is committed to keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda. You can support us by subscribing to our digital offerings here: https://bit.ly/3emywiz Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_hindu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hindu/