❖ The line from Mettupalayam to Coonoor was opened for traffic on 15 June 1899 during British colonial rule and was later extended to Udgai Hill Station.

❖ The ‘Railway Committee’ was formed with Sir Robert Stanes as the Chairman and Limited Joint Stock Company called the Coonoor Railway Company (Limited) was proposed in 1880.

❖ Later new Nilgiri Railway Company was formed in 1896 to purchase and finish the line.

❖ This line was finally declared open in June 1899, and operated by the Madras Railway under an agreement.

❖ UNESCO designated the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as a World Heritage Site on July 15, 2005.