Keralam MPs press BJP over Palakkad railway split with Mysuru division
UDF MPs from Keralam demand BJP clarity on the Railway Board's plan to detach Mangaluru region from Palakkad division and merge with Mysuru division, citing revenue and service concerns. Protests and a planned White Paper in Parliament are announced as part of the response.
Key takeaways
- UDF MPs demand clarity from the BJP on the Railway Board’s bifurcation decision involving Mangaluru's merger with the Mysuru division.
- The change is slated to take effect October 1, with protests planned for August 26.
- MPs warn of potential revenue losses and service disruptions for the Palakkad division, including loss of train services and terminal facilities.
What Happened
UDF MPs from Keralam publicly pressed the BJP for clarity on a Railway Board decision to detach the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad division of the Southern Railway and merge it with the Mysuru division of the South Western Railway. The merger is expected to take effect from October 1. The MPs, including M.K. Raghavan (Congress) and E.T. Mohammed Basheer (IUML), called for the BJP to state its position and suggested regional interests may have influenced the move. They announced plans to stage a fast outside the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Palakkad on August 26 to protest the decision, following a virtual meeting held on August 22.
The MPs also claimed that Palakkad division may face financial and operational challenges as a result of the move, alleging significant revenue loss and disruptions to train services and passenger support activities. They cited potential impacts on Mangaluru port-related revenue, train services originating from Mangaluru, and reservation facilities.
Why It Matters
The MPs argued that shifting the Mangaluru region could affect revenue streams for the Palakkad division and hinder ongoing and planned projects. They indicated that revenue implications, staff concerns, and service delivery could be affected, suggesting that funding for new projects might be curtailed and operations could become financially unviable for the Palakkad division.
Background
The reported merger aligns the Mangaluru region with the Mysuru division under the South Western Railway, with the effective date anticipated to be October 1. The Palakkad division previously underwent a reorganization in 2007 to create the Salem division, and the latest change would represent another bifurcation of the Palakkad region.
Key Facts
- The Railway Board decided to detach the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad division and merge it with the Mysuru division of the South Western Railway.
- The merger is expected to come into effect on October 1.
- UDF MPs from Keralam plan a fast outside Palakkad's Divisional Railway Manager’s office on August 26 to protest the move.
- Palakkad division could incur a revenue loss of up to ₹1,100 crore due to the shift, according to the MPs, due to loss of Mangaluru port-related revenue.
- Passengers in northern Keralam relying on Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction could face coordination issues and reduced reservation facilities.
- Palakkad division would lose a terminal station with a stabling line and a pit line, and around 16 train services from Mangaluru, including the Chennai Mail and Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express, could be affected.
- The MPs claim 90% of Mangaluru railway staff are from Keralam.
- There is a plan to seek a White Paper in Parliament detailing the impact on revenue, staff, and services.
What Happens Next
The MPs indicated further action including a planned White Paper in Parliament and a meeting with railway staff, unions, and passenger associations. The immediate scheduled protest is the August 26 fast outside the Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager’s office.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
