PALAKKAD: In a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for Kerala’s railway development, the Railway Board has approved the transfer of the Mangaluru area from the Palakkad division to the South Western Railway’s Mysuru division. The development has raised questions over Kerala’s alleged failure to effectively intervene politically and its inability to protect the state’s railway interests.
The jurisdictional reorganisation, ordered on Friday, will take effect from October 1, 2026. The decision is particularly significant for the Palakkad division as the Mangaluru area is a major source of its revenue.
“More than 90% of the division’s freight revenue of around `650 crore is generated from the Mangaluru area alone. The freight and marshalling yard facility at Panambur in the Mangaluru area is actually the backbone of the division. More than 50% of the division’s total revenue — around `1,650 crore — also comes from this area. This will effectively undermine the very existence of the Palakkad division,” said a senior railway officer.
‘Move will further shrink operational base of Palakkad railway division’
According to railway officials, the division could now be left without an adequate pitline facility, potentially making it more difficult to introduce new trains and operate special services during peak travel seasons.
“Palakkad was one of the major and oldest railway divisions in independent India. After a series of bifurcations, it has now become one of the 10 smallest divisions in the country. The latest move will certainly affect its operations, particularly when it comes to the introduction of new trains,” the official said.
The transfer of Mangaluru will further shrink the operational base of the Palakkad division, raising concerns that Kerala’s railway network could become increasingly dependent on neighbouring divisions for capacity expansion and the introduction of new passenger services, he added.
Chevalier C E Chakkunny, working chairman of the Confederation of All India Rail Users Association and a former Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) member, said the railway authorities had been pursuing plans to bifurcate the Mangaluru area from the Palakkad division since 2024. “However, there was no strong and coordinated political resistance from the MPs from Kerala or the state government to fight for the state’s long-standing railway demands,” Chakkunny said.
When contacted, Palakkad MP V K Sreekandan said he would respond to the development on Saturday after examining the Railway Board order in detail.
Ullal station to be the new boundary
As per the order, the Mangaluru railway area up to Ullal, including Ullal station, will be transferred to the Mysuru division of South Western Railway. The interchange point between South Western Railway and Southern Railway will consequently shift from Padil to Ullal.
