CM Satheesan demands rollback of shifting Mangaluru from Palakkad railway division

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22 (IANS) Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Saturday called for a united effort by Kerala to force the Centre to 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 decision had been taken without informing the State or holding any discussion with Kerala.

He said the State would approach the Central government for an immediate resolution and that letters would be sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

“The demand that the decision be reconsidered is Kerala’s united demand,” Satheesan said, adding that pressure would be mounted on the Centre with the cooperation of all MPs from the State.

Satheesan warned that removing Mangaluru Junction, a strategically important and major revenue-generating station, from the Palakkad Division would substantially reduce its income and adversely affect its future development.

The move would also have wider implications for Southern Railway.

The stretch from Ullal to Mangaluru, currently under Southern Railway, is proposed to be brought under South Western Railway.

Satheesan said this would result in a major loss for both Southern Railway and Kerala.

The political opposition to the Railway Board’s move has gathered momentum, with Congress Lok Sabha members M.K. Raghavan and V.K. Sreekantan also questioning the manner in which the decision was taken.

They said none of the MPs representing the affected region had been informed about the proposed change.

Raghavan said the move had been in the making for several years and alleged that efforts to shift the Mangaluru sector had begun when a Union Minister from Tamil Nadu was in office.

“What is happening on this front is deplorable,” he said.

The transfer is significant for the Palakkad Division, which has benefited substantially from passenger and freight revenue generated by the Mangaluru sector.

Its removal could weaken the division’s financial base and affect its ability to secure resources for future development.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of Kerala’s long-standing demand for a separate railway zone.

Satheesan said the State could not remain silent when, instead of strengthening its railway network, strategically important areas under its existing railway administration were being taken away.

The Kerala government and MPs are now expected to coordinate their efforts to take up the issue with the Centre and demand that the Railway Board withdraw or reconsider the proposed reorganisation.

–IANS

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