Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Kerala Seeks Reversal of Mangaluru Railway Division Transfer
The Railway Board wants to move the Mangaluru railway area from the Palakkad Division to the Mysuru Division.
The change is scheduled to begin on October 1.
Kerala’s government and lawmakers strongly disagree with the plan.
They say Kerala was not asked before the decision was announced.
They worry that Palakkad could lose money and railway development funds.
They also say Southern Railway and Kerala could suffer financially.
Kerala plans to ask the Prime Minister and Railway Minister to cancel the change.
Railway officials’ reasons for the decision were not provided in the articles.
The Railway Board will move the Mangaluru area from Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division to South Western Railway’s Mysuru Division from October 1.
Kerala’s government and MPs oppose the decision, saying the State and local representatives were not consulted.
Kerala leaders say the transfer could reduce Palakkad Division’s development funding and earnings.
The Ullal-Mangaluru section’s transfer could financially affect Southern Railway and Kerala, according to the State government.
Kerala plans to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for a reversal.
- Who
- The Kerala government, Kerala MPs, the Railway Board, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Kerala political leaders including V. D. Satheesan and Pinarayi Vijayan.
- What
- The Railway Board has decided to transfer the Mangaluru railway area from the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway to the Mysuru Division of South Western Railway.
- When
- The transfer is scheduled for October 1; the decision was announced late on a Friday, followed by statements on Saturday.
- Where
- The affected area includes Mangaluru and the Ullal-Mangaluru section, involving the Palakkad and Mysuru railway divisions.
- Why
- Kerala is seeking reversal because it says the move was unilateral, breached an earlier assurance, and could damage railway development, earnings, and finances.
Kerala’s objections
Railway Board’s decision
Whether the transfer should proceed
Kerala’s objections
Kerala’s government and MPs demand an immediate reversal, saying the decision was made without consulting the State, local MPs, or other representatives.
Railway Board’s decision
The Railway Board has decided to implement the transfer from October 1, but the articles do not provide the Board’s stated reasoning or response to Kerala’s objections.
Impact on railway development
Kerala’s objections
Kerala leaders say Palakkad could lose development funding and earnings, while future train allocations may favor Mysuru.
Railway Board’s decision
The articles do not state the Railway Board’s assessment of the transfer’s effect on Palakkad, Mangaluru, or future train services.
Reason for the decision
Kerala’s objections
Some Kerala MPs allege that the move was intended to appease Bharatiya Janata Party MP Captain Brijesh Chowta.
Railway Board’s decision
The Railway Board’s decision is reported as an administrative transfer, but no official explanation supporting or rejecting the alleged political motive is provided.
- Effective date
- The transfer is scheduled to take effect on October 1.
- Railway jurisdictions
- Mangaluru would move from Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division to South Western Railway’s Mysuru Division.
- Affected trains
- The articles say 83 long-distance trains starting at Mangaluru pass through Palakkad and other parts of Kerala.
- Funding concern
- Palakkad MP V. K. Sreekandan alleged that 75% of the development fund intended for the Palakkad Division would move to the Mysuru Division.
- Earlier assurance
- The articles say Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had assured Kerala representatives in 2024 that the transfer would not take place.
- Kerala’s planned response
- The State plans to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- Political allegation
- Some Kerala MPs alleged that the move was intended to appease Bharatiya Janata Party MP Captain Brijesh Chowta from Dakshina Kannada.
- Reported office discrepancy
- The supplied reports describe V. D. Satheesan as Chief Minister and Pinarayi Vijayan as Leader of the Opposition, while the existing summary flags this as an internal inconsistency.
