Mangaluru contributes about 60% of Palakkad division’s revenue and removing it would severely weaken the division, says ZRUCC member Sirajudheen Ellathodi.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
The Railway Board’s decision to bifurcate the Mangaluru region from Palakkad Railway Division and bring it under Mysuru Division of South Western Railway has triggered protests across Keralam, with MPs cutting across political lines demanding that the move be withdrawn.E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP, described the decision as despicable and warned of far-reaching consequences for railway development in Keralam, particularly Malabar. In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he sought immediate reconsideration of the decision and retention of the status quo. He also urged the State government to intervene.M.K. Raghavan, MP, called the order unjust and a major blow to Malabar’s railway development. He pointed out that freight from Mangaluru port and revenue from Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction are important sources of income for Palakkad division. Their loss, he said, would weaken the division financially and affect new train services and development projects.He also warned that several trains to Malabar were organised around Mangaluru, and separating the region could make it difficult to introduce new services or extend existing ones. Calling the bifurcation order a threat to the survival of Palakkad division, Mr. Raghavan demanded its immediate withdrawal and warned of a mass protest. He also sought an explanation from the BJP leadership in Keralam.The Palakkad District Development Committee unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the Railways reconsider the decision. V.K. Sreekandan, MP, who moved the resolution at the committee meeting on Saturday, said the loss of Mangaluru would affect the division’s revenue and obstruct new services and development projects.Shafi Parambil, MP, said the decision would damage Palakkad division’s economic base and future growth. Describing it as an attempt to slowly destroy the division, he accused the Railways of adopting a biased approach. He said he would lead a social and legal campaign against the move with the participation of the public and elected representatives.Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP, condemned the bifurcation and said he would take up the matter with senior Railway authorities.Congress national general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP, warned of widespread protests. He demanded either a separate railway zone for Keralam or continuation of Mangaluru as part of Palakkad division.Southern Railway Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) member Sirajudheen Ellathodi said the decision could reduce Palakkad to one of the smallest railway divisions in the country and affect the allotment of new trains. He said MPs from Keralam had not been consulted before a decision with such consequences was taken. Mangaluru contributes about 60% of Palakkad division’s revenue, he said, adding that removing it would severely weaken the division.National Janata Dal State president John John also opposed the move, calling it detrimental to Keralam’s interests. Published - August 22, 2026 07:23 pm IST
