CM Satheesan Seeks Rollback Of Mangaluru Railway Jurisdiction Change
Satheesan opposes Mangaluru’s proposed shift from Palakkad division.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has demanded that the Centre reconsider the Railway Board’s decision to shift Mangaluru, including the key Mangaluru Junction, from the Palakkad Division to the Mysuru Division. Describing the move as unilateral and deeply objectionable, Satheesan said the Kerala government was not informed or consulted before the decision was taken.
Satheesan said Kerala would approach the Central government seeking an immediate resolution and that letters would be sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He described the demand for reconsideration as a united position of Kerala and said all MPs from the State would cooperate in putting pressure on the Centre.
The Chief Minister warned that removing Mangaluru Junction from the Palakkad Division could significantly affect the division’s revenue and future development. Mangaluru Junction is a strategically important station and generates substantial passenger and freight revenue. Satheesan argued that its transfer could weaken the financial base of the Palakkad Division.
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The proposed reorganisation would also affect railway jurisdiction in the region. The stretch from Ullal to Mangaluru, currently under Southern Railway, is proposed to be brought under South Western Railway. Satheesan argued that the change would have wider financial implications for both Southern Railway and Kerala.
Congress Lok Sabha members M.K. Raghavan and V.K. Sreekantan have also questioned the manner in which the proposed change was initiated. They maintained that MPs representing the affected region had not been informed. Raghavan alleged that efforts to shift the Mangaluru sector had been under consideration for several years and criticised the manner in which the issue was being handled.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of Kerala’s long-standing demand for a separate railway zone. Satheesan maintained that Kerala could not remain silent when strategically important railway assets under its existing administration were proposed to be shifted. The State government and MPs are expected to coordinate their efforts to seek withdrawal or reconsideration of the Railway Board’s reorganisation plan.
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