In 1840, the British created a teak plantation in Nilambur to ensure a steady supply of timber for their various needs. In 1923, the South Indian Railway Company, which operated the Madras–Shoranur–Mangalore line, was contracted by the Madras Presidency to build a railway from Nilambur to Shoranur to ensure easy transportation of timber from these forests to the plains and hence to ports and onward transportation. The company completed line in stages. The Shoranur–Angadippuram section was opened on 3 February 1927, Angadippuram–Vaniyambalam on 3 August 1927 and the entire stretch from Shoranur to Nilambur was opened on 26 October 1927. During World War II, the Shoranur line, along with other numerous railway lines across British India were dismantled and rolling stock diverted to the Middle East to help British war efforts. The line ceased to exist in 1941. After independence, following public pressure, the railway line was reconstructed by the Indian Railways along its original alignment. The Shornur -Angadipuram line re-opened in 1953 and Angadipuram – Nilambur in 1954. The teak plantation still stands today as a major tourist attraction.
Geography
The Shoranur–Nilambur line starts from Shoranur junction and terminates at Nilambur Road railway station, located at a distance of four kilometers from Nilambur town on the Kozhikode-Ooty highway, from the district headquarters of Malappuram town. The line passes through the eastern part of the Malappuram district. It crosses Kunthippuzha between Kulukkalloor and Cherukara which borders Palakkad and Malappuram districts. Velliyar river, a major tributary of Kadalundi river, Olippuzha river, another tributary of Kadalundi river and Kuthirappuzha, a tributary of Chaliyar river are other major rivers that this line crosses.
No.
Station Name
Station Code
Distance
Coordinates
1
SRR
0
2
Vadanamkurishshi
VDKS
4.3
3
VPZ
10.4
4
KZC
14.0
5
CQA
20.6
6
AAM
27.7
7
PKQ
33.3
8
MLTR
40.5
9
TUV
46.9
10
Thodiyappulam
TDPM
51.2
11
VNB
55.5
12
NIL
66.1
Railway stations on the Shoranur–Nilambur Road line are supported by small buildings and the platforms are low and short, located among thick vegetation that reaches close to the track throughout the stretch. Teak and Banyan trees are common, with overhanging roots of Banyan trees present on many station platforms, with the tree canopy completely covering many stations. The Nilambur Road railway station itself offers a views against the backdrop of the Western Ghats.
