Threatening Redevelopment of Coonoor Railway Station part of NMR

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

The NMR Railway line from Mettupalaiyam to Ooty is 45.88 km. long and lies partly in 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.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway 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.

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Nilgiri Mountain Railway FAQs

Q1. What is the World Heritage Committee?

Ans. It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.