1 week ago
Keralam MPs Plan Onam Hunger Strike Over Railway Split
MPs from Keralam are unhappy about a railway decision.
The decision would move Mangaluru and some other stations from the Palakkad division to the Mysuru division.
The MPs say Kasaragod and other northern districts could be hurt.
They are worried that Palakkad could lose about Rs 600 crore in railway revenue.
They also say it could become harder to extend trains or approve railway projects.
To protest, they will stop eating for one day on August 26, during Onam.
The protest will take place near the Palakkad railway office from 9 am to 6 pm.
If the protest does not work, they may later march to Delhi.
MPs from Keralam will hold a hunger strike on August 26, the Thiruvonam day of Onam.
They oppose the Railway Board’s decision to shift Mangaluru and other stations from the Palakkad division to Mysuru.
Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan says the change could cost Palakkad around Rs 600 crore in port-related revenue.
The MPs say railway decisions and proposed train extensions for northern Keralam could become more difficult.
If the first protest fails, the MPs may march to Delhi; the Railway has not responded to their allegations.
- Who
- MPs from Keralam, including Rajmohan Unnithan and V K Sreekandan, are organizing the protest, with support from UDF and LDF leaders.
- What
- They plan a hunger strike against the bifurcation of the Palakkad railway division and the transfer of Mangaluru to the Mysuru division.
- Where
- The protest is planned outside the Palakkad railway divisional office, specifically near the Divisional Commercial Superintendent’s office.
- When
- The hunger strike is scheduled for August 26, the Thiruvonam day of Onam; the report was dated August 23.
- Why
- The MPs say the decision would harm Kasaragod and northern Keralam, reduce Palakkad’s revenue, and complicate railway decisions.
Keralam MPs and political leaders
Centre and Railway authorities
Division transfer
Keralam MPs and political leaders
The MPs and other Keralam leaders oppose moving Mangaluru from the Palakkad division to the Mysuru division, describing it as harmful to Keralam and politically motivated.
Centre and Railway authorities
The Railway Board’s decision to shift Mangaluru was reported, but the Railway had not responded to the leaders’ allegations.
Minister’s awareness
Keralam MPs and political leaders
Rajmohan Unnithan and V K Sreekandan questioned the Union Railway Minister’s claim that he was unaware of the bifurcation, calling it misleading and secretive.
Centre and Railway authorities
The minister was reported to have said he was unaware of the move; the articles contain no further response from him or Railway authorities.
Financial and administrative effects
Keralam MPs and political leaders
The MPs say Palakkad could lose around Rs 600 crore in Mangaluru-port-related revenue and that train extensions and projects in northern Keralam could become harder to approve.
Centre and Railway authorities
The articles provide no detailed response from the Centre or Railway authorities addressing these projected financial and administrative effects.
Key facts
- Protest date
- August 26, during Thiruvonam and Onam
- Protest hours
- 9 am to 6 pm
- Main demand
- Reversal of the move to shift Mangaluru and other stations to the Mysuru railway division
- Estimated revenue at risk
- Around Rs 600 crore, according to Rajmohan Unnithan
- Proposed second phase
- A march to Delhi if the hunger strike does not produce results
- Political opposition
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan and leaders of the UDF and LDF oppose the move
- Railway response
- The Railway has not responded to the allegations by Keralam leaders
Quotes
Rajmohan Unnithan
Congress MP from Kasaragod
“As MPs from Keralam, we have decided to observe a hunger strike on Thiruvonam day in front of the Palakkad Divisional Commercial Superintendent office from 9 am to 6 pm against the neglect shown by the BJP government toward Malabar (North Keralam), Kasaragod, and Keralam.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
“If a Union Railway Minister says that he was unaware of the bifurcation of an important division, especially one of the highest-revenue-generating divisions in South India, isn’t that misleading the people?”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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