Royapuram - Then and Now

Crumbling structure of Royapuram station in Chennai on the Beach-Vyasarpadi line. Chennai, Apr 3, 04. By Gautam.

View of the old platform - towards the east with the Plasser Maintanence area. Jimmy Jose.

View of the old platform - towards west. Jimmy Jose.

The roof of the hall has some kind of carvings. They too have fallen apart. Jimmy Jose.

A closer look at the victorian windows. Jimmy Jose.

The beauifully carved windows and doors had almost fallen apart. Jimmy Jose.

This name board too seems to be very old. Look at the name "RAYAPURAM" (probably the old name) etched. Jimmy Jose.

The grand porch of the station. A part of the pillar on the left was pulled down to facilitate electrification. Jimmy Jose.

There are no roads that lead to the station. People had to cross these railway tracks to get there. Jimmy Jose.

The station from another side. Jimmy Jose.

Chennai Royapuram station, waited for many decades for an uplift. This heritage station, probably the oldest surviving railway station in the country was recently renovated. These pictures were taken prior to it's renovation, in January 2005. It was b

Another view of the crumbling structure. I did not have enough courage to go inside. Jimmy Jose.

This building was the general office of MSMR once. The new MSMR headquarters (now SR neadquarters) was built in 1921 next to Central station. The offices has been left to the nature's wrath since then. Jimmy Jose.

Arches standing nowhere. There must have been a roof for the entire station. There is a small platform too, Maybe platform no. 1 once. Similar to the arches at Egmore. Jimmy Jose.

Residents of the station a year ago. These puppies were the only company I had during my hour long stay here. Jimmy Jose.

Close up of the cantelever used on platform roof. Jimmy Jose.

Once grand corridor, but the roof has fallen apart. This doorway leads from the platform to the porch. Jimmy Jose.

Successor of Madras Railway Company, who built the station was the Madras and Southern marattha Railway Company (MSMR). This is an MSMR insignia found on a wall. Jimmy Jose.

Thats terrible, view of the station, looking towards west. Jimmy Jose.

Looking down the platform towards the east, along with the view of the station from the east. There is a circular board announcing Platform no. 2. This must have beem Pf. no. 2 once. Look at the huge cranes from Chennai Port. Jimmy Jose.

Some unused bogies (the one on top is probably of a BCNA), the one below is really antique piled up near the General office. God knows how they got here. There is no railway access to the area. Jimmy Jose.

A view of the MSMR general office building and some kind of a small platform built much later adjacent to it. Cranes from Chennai Port tower above the crumbling building. Jimmy Jose.

One more view of the station, from the General office building. These tracks lead to Chennai Port. Jimmy Jose.

Royapuram Now: Wide shot view of the new Royapuram Station - taken from the North Beach Road Overbridge - The Chennai harbor (not visible) is to my right and behind. Note the unused coach stabling yards at the left. 2005-10-08. N Manohar.

Royapuram Now: East side view: Note the spruced up quasi-classical architecture - and Ionic pillars left intact. 2005-10-08. N Manohar.

Royapuram Now: Another East side view. 2005-10-08. N Manohar.

Royapuram Now: West Side View. 2005-10-08. N Manohar.