In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras was made by the British.

[6] Vijayawada link was established in 1899, thereby opening the Howrah-Chennai main line connecting Madras with Calcutta.

In a country of continental distances, it provided the foundation for modern economic expansion by facilitating the carriage of huge quantities of passengers and freight over very long distances at hitherto unparalleled speeds.

During the early part of 20th century, in a growing economy with rapid increase in demand for mobility, railway development was sparked off at a pace similar if not more marked than in Western countries in the 19th century.

By the end of 1877 the company owned 150 steam locomotives, 391 coaches and 3223 goods wagons.