Title - A heritage station

Most residents of Chennai hardly know about the existence of the Royapuram railway station, north of George Town. The station is now in the news because of a proposal to demolish it. The Royapuram railway station is one of the oldest stations in India and the oldest in South India. Almost immediately after the establishment of the country's first railway line linking Bombay with Thana in April, 1853, the British wanted a railway station for Madras. The choice of the present location for the Royapuram station was its proximity to Fort St. George and George Town that was then emerging as a prominent residential-cum-commercial hub of the city.

The Royapuram station initially linked the city of Madras with Wallajah Road in Arcot. Designed by William Tracey, the station was formally inaugurated by the Governor of Madras. Originally surrounded by a beautiful garden, the station represents the quasi-Classical style of architecture of the Late Renaissance period.

The most attractive feature is the quadrangular porch with its fluted Corinthian columns. Till the construction of the Chennai Central railway station in 1873, the Royapuram station was the main rail terminus for the city. In its initial years, the latter station served as the venue where the top British dignitaries including the Viceroy and st July, 1856 by Lord members of the royal family were formally received on their arrival in the city.

Historically and architecturally, the Royapuram station is comparable to the more famous Grand Central Station in New York city, and the Paddington Station in London. But unlike, the other heritage stations, Royapuram has not been put to optimum use in recent decades.