1 week ago

Parties Oppose Railway Board’s Mangaluru-Palakkad Bifurcation

The Railway Board decided to move the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad railway division to the Mysuru division.

This change is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026.

Political parties in Kerala oppose the decision.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan called it unfair and said the government would ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review it.

Pinarayi Vijayan said Palakkad could lose as much as 60% of its revenue.

He also pointed to the large amount of goods handled at Panambur Goods Yard.

A passenger association said the change could make railway development in Kerala harder.

It warned that some smaller stations and train services could eventually be affected.

Key facts

Effective date: October 1, 2026
Current arrangement: The Ullal-Mangaluru sector is currently under Southern Railway and the Palakkad division.
New arrangement: The Mangaluru region is to be merged with the Mysuru division of South Western Railway.
Estimated revenue impact: Pinarayi Vijayan said Palakkad division revenue could fall by up to 60%.
Panambur goods handling: Goods worth around ₹625 crore were handled there during the previous financial year.
Government response: V.D. Satheesan said Kerala would take the matter up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Association response: Friends on Rail called the bifurcation a major setback to Kerala’s railway development aspirations.

thehindubusinessline.com · 1 week ago