168 years ago, South India's first passenger train started its maiden journey

Chennai: On July 1, 1856, South India's first passenger train service commenced its maiden journey. The inaugural service ran from Royapuram to Walajabad in Tamil Nadu with 300 passengers aboard. The journey from Royapuram to Walajabad took three hours. Royapuram Railway Station was formally opened on June 28, 1856, by George Francis Robert Harris, the Governor of Madras.

Following the launch of the Royapuram-Walajabad route, rapid expansion of railway infrastructure occurred across South India. Chennai Central Railway Station, inaugurated in 1873, marked the next major railway milestone, facilitating north-bound train services. Meanwhile, Royapuram continued to serve southern routes, evolving into a hub for cargo trains as Chennai's port expanded. Subsequently, services to the south were redirected through Egmore.

Efforts to modernise Royapuram Station have been sporadic, with a notable renovation undertaken in 2005 at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. This revitalization aimed to preserve the historical significance of South India's oldest railway station.