Kundala Valley Railway was a privately owned monorail, later converted to narrow gauge railway that operated between 1902 till 1924 in Kundala Valley, near Munnar, Kerala when it was destroyed completely by floods.
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Kundala Valley Railway was built in 1902 and operated between Munnar and Top Station. This railway was built to transport tea. Initially a cart road was cut in 1902,[1] then later replaced by a monorail goods carriage system along the road leading from Munnar to Top Station for the purpose of transporting tea and other products from Munnar and Madupatty to Top Station. This monorail was based on Ewing System and had a small wheel placed on track while a larger wheel rested on the road to balance the monorail. This was similar to Patiala State Monorail Trainways. The monorail was pulled by bullocks. Top Station was a transshipment point for delivery of tea from Munnar to Bodinayakkanur. Tea chests arriving at Top Station from the Kundala Valley were then transported by an aerial ropeway from Top Station 5 km (3 mi) down hill to the south to Kottagudi, Tamilnadu, which popularly became known as "Bottom Station". The tea was shipped 15 km (9 mi) by cart to Bodinayakkanur, then by rail to other places in India and ship to England.[2][1]
In 1908 the monorail was replaced by a 24 inch gauge light railway.[1] The railway en route had stations at Madupatty and Palaar. The railway was pulled by light steam locomotives. This railway was completely destroyed by a flood in 1924 and was never rebuilt.[1] This a defunct railway now with few remains scattered throughout Munnar and Kundala Valley.
This building, now housing regional office of Tata Tea Ltd was Munnar Railway Station of Kundala Valley Railway. The railway tracks have been replaced by a road in front of this building.[3] A bridge, called Aluminium Bridge, existing near Munnar was once upon a time a railway bridge, later converted to road bridge. Several remains of wheels, tracks, sleepers, stations, signboards, etc. exist at several part of Munnar and Kunadala Valley, notably at Top Station.
As the flood in 1924, completely destroyed the Kundala Valley Railway leaving the relics that were beyond repair, the Kundala Valley Railway was replaced by a network of ropeways to ensure speedy transportation of tea and other products.