The Rotehügels Story

From Sengundram (செங்குன்றம்) to Redhills (ரெட்ஹில்ஸ்) to Rotehügels

A name shaped by the land

Origins of the Name

North of Chennai lies the locality now known as Redhills (ரெட்ஹில்ஸ்). Its older Tamil name, Sengundram (செங்குன்றம்), comes from two words:sen (red) and kundram (hill). The name reflects the red lateritic soil and rocky terrain that define the landscape.

When the British translated place names, Sengundram became Redhills. Our company name, Rotehügels, carries this legacy forward.Rotehügel is the German equivalent of Redhills; the final “s” symbolically means belonging. In short, Rotehügels is the company that belongs to Redhills.

Water, Land and Heritage

For centuries, Sengundram (செங்குன்றம்) was part of Thondaimandalam, a fertile agrarian region sustained by irrigation tanks. The Puzhal Tank (later called Redhills Lake) is mentioned in Chola inscriptions as a boundary landmark. In 1876, under British engineers, the tank was expanded into the Redhills Reservoir, which even today remains one of Chennai’s primary drinking water sources.

India’s First Railway (1836–37)

Few know that India’s railway history began here. In 1836, the East India Company laid a 3½-mile Redhills Railway, carrying granite from Sengundram quarries to Madras for road works.

• Stone-laden carts rolled smoothly on rails.
• Contemporary reports mention animal traction, with experiments on locomotives.
• Although overshadowed by the 1853 Bombay–Thane passenger train, the Redhills Railway was India’s first railroad.

Arulmigu Sri Angala Eeswari Thirukovil (அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ அங்காள ஈஸ்வரி திருக்கோவில்)

At the heart of Redhills’ cultural identity stands the Arulmigu Sri Angala Eeswari Thirukovil (அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ அங்காள ஈஸ்வரி திருக்கோவில்).

• The temple is renowned for its annual 12-day carnival, attracting lakhs of devotees each year.
• Special bus services are arranged during the festive season to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.
• Beyond being a centre of worship, the temple is a living cultural landmark, reflecting Redhills’ deep ties to Tamil traditions, music, folk arts, and communal celebrations.

The festival highlights Redhills as a place where heritage and devotion thrive alongside modern growth.

Temples and Landmarks

The region preserves its cultural depth with ancient temples and civic landmarks:

• Thirumoolanathar Temple, Puzhal – Shiva temple with Chola and Vijayanagara inscriptions.
• Thiruneetreshwarar Temple, Padianallur – an early Saivite temple northeast of Redhills.
• Pachai Amman Temple, Edapalayam and Murugan/Amman shrines in the Alamathi–Naravarikuppam belt.
• Puzhal Central Prison (2006) – a modern institution in North Chennai.

Industry and Connectivity

Today, Redhills is an emerging hub at the crossroads of logistics, industry, and recycling.

Ports (distance from Redhills)

• Kamarajar (Ennore) – ~20 km
• Kattupalli – ~24 km
• Chennai Port – ~22 km

Airport

• Chennai International (MAA) – ~30 km

Warehousing & Bonded Facilities

• DP World Redhills CFS (20.5 acres, ~45,000 TEUs p.a.)
• Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), Chennai Region
• Private bonded warehouses across Redhills–Madhavaram–Manali

Industrial Clusters Nearby

• Manali – petrochemicals and refining
• Madhavaram – logistics & trucking hubs
• Gummidipoondi SIPCOT – heavy industries
• Recycling belt – e-waste and metal recycling units (growing sector)

Industrial Heritage – Simpsons to Amalgamations Group

North Chennai’s industrial belt also preserves a legacy over 150 years old: the Amalgamations Group, originally Simpsons & Co.

• Founded in the 1840s as a coach-builder, Simpsons grew into a manufacturer of railway carriages, motor bodies, and agricultural machinery.
• Today, as part of the diversified Amalgamations Group, its factories in Madhavaram and Sembium continue that tradition.
• Sembium, another locality with strong historical resonance, became a cradle of industrial innovation that shaped Chennai’s engineering identity through the 20th century.

This heritage ties Redhills, Madhavaram, and Sembium into a wider story of railways, engineering, and manufacturing excellence—a story that continues with new-age ventures like ours.

Redhills Metro & Future Growth

The Chennai Metro Phase II corridors (2025–28) will bring new connectivity to the region. While Redhills does not yet have its own station, the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and proposed Metro extensions ensure it remains firmly in Chennai’s growth map.

Why the Name Rotehügels?

Our identity is rooted in this landscape:

• Rotehügel = German for Redhills / Sengundram.
• Rotehügels = friendly short form, symbolising belonging.
• The final “s” = a mark of identity—our company belongs to Redhills.

Through this name, we carry the spirit of resilience, innovation, and global vision that defines Redhills.

References

• Madras Gazette (1836), Asiatic Journal (1836–37) – reports on the Redhills Railway
• C.S. Crole, Chingleput District Manual (1879)
• S. Srinivasachari, History of the City of Madras (1939)
• Dr. A. Raman, The Redhills Railway – India’s First Railroad
• Madras District Gazetteers: Chingleput (1915)