 The work on the line commenced in August 1891 and the Mettupalayam-Coonoor section of the track was opened for traffic on 15 June 1899.In January 1903, the Indian Government purchased the line, and took over the construction of the extension from Coonoor to Ooty.The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was operated by the Madras Railway until 31 December 1907 on the behalf of the Government.