The State government and all MPs from Keralam should join hands and fight against the Railway Board’s decision to remove the Mangaluru region from Southern Railway’s Palakkad division and bring it under South Western Railway’s Mysuru division, the Indian National League (INL) has said.
In a statement issued on Sunday (August 23, 2026), INL State president Ahammad Devarkovil and general secretary Kasim Irikkoor said the move came at a time when people in Keralam were increasingly dependent on the railways. The changes, scheduled to take effect from October 1, would have serious implications for railway development in the State, they said.
The Mangaluru region, including Ullal and Panambur, is a crucial part of the Palakkad division, with nearly 75% of freight traffic in the division originating from the area, the leaders said. Keralam had already lost several profitable routes under the Palakkad division when the Salem division was formed in 2007, they noted.
The leaders termed the decision to shift Mangaluru from the division the latest example of Indian Railways’ long-standing neglect of Keralam. “Mangaluru is particularly important for people from Keralam who regularly travel there for medical treatment, education and business. The proposed move has therefore raised concerns about the future of important train services connecting Keralam with Mangaluru,” the statement said.
The INL leaders called for a united campaign to protect the interests of the State and urged political parties not to attempt to gain political mileage or undermine the collective effort.
“All Ministers and MPs from Keralam should meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and explain the consequences of the proposed move. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan should lead the effort, given his claim of having a healthy relationship with the Union government,” they said.
Published – August 23, 2026 07:27 pm IST
