Chennai Central (formerly Madras Central) was built in 1873 to serve as the main terminus for the Madras Railway, designed by architect George Harding in a Gothic-Romanesque style. Located on former garden land (Pereira Garden), it replaced Royapuram as the primary hub, officially becoming a central station in 1907.
Key Historical Details:
Architect: Designed by George Harding, with modifications later by Robert Chisholm.
Construction: Built between 1870 and 1873, it was a major expansion to handle growing rail traffic in British India.
Location: Built on land known as John Pereira's Gardens.
Evolution: Originally had four platforms; it underwent major expansion, including the addition of the Moore Market Complex in 1986 and a new building in 1998.
Renaming: Renamed Chennai Central in 1998, and in 2019, it was named after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran.
The station is renowned for its red-brick façade, tall clock tower, and its role as the gateway to South India.