PALAKKAD: The decision to detach the Mangaluru railway network from Palakkad division has triggered a fresh social media campaign in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, with people in Pollachi, Kanyakumari and Nagercoil demanding that their railway jurisdiction also be reorganised in the interest of passengers and regional development.
One of the key demands is moving Pollachi from Palakkad division of Southern Railway to either Madurai or Salem divisions. Campaigners argue that Pollachi has stronger passenger and regional linkages with Tamil Nadu and that placing it under a Tamil Nadu-based division would improve administrative coordination and passenger services.
The campaign has gained momentum following the recent transfer of Mangaluru region to the Mysuru division of South Western Railway. The reorganisation has prompted stakeholders in areas still under the Palakkad division to renew their demands for changes in railway jurisdiction.
The campaign has raised two other major demands. It calls for bringing Tirunelveli-Kuzhithurai railway route, including Kanyakumari and Nagercoil, under the Madurai division, arguing that unified administration would benefit passengers in southern Tamil Nadu.
In the Kongu region, campaigners are demanding that the Omalur-Hosur railway line be brought fully under Salem division. They contend that the move would support economic and industrial growth in the region, particularly given the importance of Hosur as an industrial centre.
Terming Pollachi, southern Tamil Nadu and Kongu region as major pending railway boundary concerns in the state, the campaign calls for immediate action in the interest of Tamil Nadu passengers.
At the same time, Krishna Balaji T, secretary of the Pollachi Train Passengers Welfare Association (PTPWA), one of the major collectives of passengers in the region, said, “We had such a demand till two years back. However, there are many development activities taking place in Pollachi region; we were given new services as well. We are kind of satisfied with the developments.”
P Edward Jeni, general secretary of the Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association (KKDRUA), echoed the view, but added, “The authorities are planning a new Vande Bharat service from Nagercoil to Bengaluru via Kerala. We have clearly informed the authorities and the people’s representatives that we do not want train via Kerala, which will be longer, time consuming and therefore expensive. We want the service via Madurai. If this demand is not met, we will launch a campaign to move Kanyakumari and Nagercoil regions out of Thiruvananthapuram division.”
The demands come at a time when railway jurisdictional changes have become a subject of renewed discussion in the region. With the Mangaluru network no longer under Palakkad division, campaigners in Pollachi and other parts of Tamil Nadu are seeking similar consideration for their long-standing demands.
Major demands
The campaign has raised two other major demands -- bringing Tirunelveli-Kuzhithurai railway route, including Kanyakumari and Nagercoil, under the Madurai division
In the Kongu region, campaigners are demanding that the Omalur-Hosur railway line be brought fully under Salem division
Terming Pollachi, southern Tamil Nadu and Kongu region as major pending railway boundary concerns in the state, the campaign called for immediate action in the interest of people
