Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Brittas Seeks Withdrawal of Mangaluru Railway Transfer
John Brittas, a member of India’s Parliament, has asked the Railway Minister to stop a proposed railway boundary change.
The plan would move the Mangaluru area from Palakkad division to Mysuru division.
Brittas says Palakkad division has already become much smaller over the years.
He says Mangaluru provides most of the division’s freight income and more than half of its total income.
Losing this area could make it harder for Palakkad division to run and expand railway services.
Brittas is also worried that fewer facilities could make it harder to add trains.
He said the change could hurt railway development in Kerala’s Malabar region.
He wants the minister to review and cancel the transfer.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to withdraw the proposed transfer of Mangaluru area to Mysuru division.
The Railway Board communication dated August 21 proposes the transfer from Palakkad division effective October 1.
Brittas said Palakkad division’s jurisdiction has fallen from about 1,247.58 route km in 1956 to roughly 582.7 km after successive reorganisations.
He claimed Mangaluru generates more than 90% of Palakkad division’s freight revenue and over half its total revenue.
Brittas warned the transfer could weaken Palakkad’s finances, pitline capacity, train services and infrastructure development in Kerala.
- Who
- CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to intervene.
- What
- Brittas asked the minister to withdraw the proposed transfer of the Mangaluru area from Palakkad division to Mysuru division.
- When
- The Railway Board communication was dated August 21, and the proposed transfer is to take effect October 1.
- Where
- The area is currently part of Palakkad division of Southern Railway and would move to Mysuru division of South Western Railway.
- Why
- Brittas said the transfer would reduce Palakkad division’s revenue, operational capacity and ability to support railway development in Kerala.
- Proposed transfer
- Mangaluru area from Palakkad division to Mysuru division
- Effective date
- October 1, according to the Railway Board proposal
- Palakkad jurisdiction in 1956
- Approximately 1,247.58 route km
- Current Palakkad jurisdiction
- Roughly 582.7 route km
- Freight revenue from Mangaluru
- More than 90% of Palakkad division’s freight revenue, according to Brittas
- Third-line project
- A sanctioned field location survey covers the 307-kilometre Mangaluru-Kasaragod-Shoranur corridor
- Kanjikode coach factory
- Brittas said the project did not become operational and was officially reported as dropped in a July 31, 2026, Rajya Sabha answer
