Kerala Opposes Mangaluru Railway Shift: State to Approach Centre Over Palakkad Division

Kerala has strongly opposed the Railway Board’s decision to transfer the Mangaluru railway region from the Palakkad division to the Mysuru division, with the state planning to approach the Centre seeking a reconsideration of the move.

Kerala Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said retaining Mangaluru under the Palakkad division was a "united demand" of the state and argued that excluding the strategically important region could have a major impact on the division's revenue and future development.

Kerala Plans to Approach Centre

Satheesan said Kerala would seek an urgent intervention from the Centre over the Railway Board's decision.

He said letters would be sent to the Prime Minister and Union Railway Minister, while MPs from Kerala would also be involved in efforts to persuade the Centre to reconsider the decision.

The transfer of the railway section between Ullal and Mangaluru from Southern Railway to South Western Railway has also raised concerns about its potential impact on Kerala and the Palakkad division.

Mangaluru Region Key to Palakkad Division

Kerala leaders have argued that Mangaluru is strategically and commercially important for the Palakkad railway division.

Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan also opposed the decision, describing it as another example of what he called the Railway Ministry's neglect of Kerala, particularly the Malabar region.

Unnithan said the exact boundaries of the new railway divisions would become clearer through an official gazette notification.

Concern Over Revenue Loss

Unnithan warned that losing the Mangaluru region, including the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), could have serious financial consequences for the Palakkad division.

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that the transfer could reduce the Palakkad division's revenue by as much as 60%.

According to Vijayan, cargo worth approximately ₹625 crore was handled through the Panambur goods yard during the last financial year, and he argued that the Palakkad division could lose this revenue following the proposed transfer.

Pinarayi Vijayan Calls for Decision to Be Reversed

Vijayan strongly criticised the Railway Board's decision, calling it a "grave injustice" and urging Kerala's state government and MPs to intervene.

He argued that once the Mangaluru region is placed under the Mysuru division, the Palakkad division could be left in a financially weaker position.

Vijayan also pointed to the creation of the Salem railway division in 2006, which he said resulted in Palakkad losing commercially important areas, including Coimbatore, and consequently losing a significant portion of its revenue.

Concerns Over Future Railway Development

Kerala leaders have expressed concern that the loss of Mangaluru could affect the state's ability to secure new trains and improve railway infrastructure.

Vijayan argued that the authority to decide schedules for trains originating from Mangaluru, including services towards Thiruvananthapuram, would come under the Mysuru division following the proposed restructuring.

He said this could have an adverse impact on Kerala's railway connectivity.

What Happens Next?

Kerala is expected to intensify its efforts to get the Railway Board's decision reconsidered.

With political leaders from the state opposing the transfer and planning to approach the Centre, the issue could become a major point of discussion between Kerala and the Union government.

The final details of the new railway boundaries are expected to become clearer once the relevant gazette notification is issued.