Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Munnar is amongst the most sought out travel destinations in the world. It is a proper tourist hub with resorts and activities that have attracted visitors for decades. Its overall view, including the tea plantations, beautifully designed towns, rare flora and fauna, massive peaks and dams, make it the perfect destination for an extended vacation as well. The unique sight of the Neelakurinji flower that appears once in every 12 years makes it hard to pass over this place at any cost.
Munnar
Kundala Valley Railway
In 1908, the monorail gave way to a light railway. Starting from the Munnar station, the service had two stations en route, at Mattupetty and Palaar, before ending the journey at Top Station.
In 1924, Munnar was hit by the worst flooding ever seen in the area. Besides causing extensive damages to plantations, roads and dwellings, the rains and the flood washed away the lifeline of Tata Tea, the Kundala Railway. The rail was virtually washed away in most parts making reconstruction unthinkable. Soon afterwards Tata Tea opted for ropeways for the transportation between Munnar and Top Station.
The remains of the railway and the ropeway still exist on the Kundala – Top Station route. Interested travellers can go on a trail into a significant past of Munnar which chugged out into oblivion. First among them is the main railway station building, which now serves as the regional office of Tata Tea. The platform in front of the building has been converted as a road.
AloJapan.com