Dakshina Kannada MP Urges Karnataka Government to Support Mangaluru Railway Reorganisation

Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta has written to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging the state government to officially back the Railway Board's notification to bring Mangaluru under the Mysuru Division of the South Western Railway (SWR) zone starting October 1. Currently, the Mangaluru region operates under the Palakkad division of the Southern Railway.

In his letter, Capt Chowta noted that the Kerala Chief Minister has approached the Prime Minister to seek a reconsideration of the notification, while MPs from Kerala have publicly opposed its implementation. He emphasized that the administrative reorganisation should not be viewed as a measure against a neighbouring state, but rather as an operational necessity for Mangaluru's railway administration and development.

Highlighting the historical context, Capt Chowta recalled that Chief Minister Shivakumar had previously stressed the importance of transcending party lines to work together on matters concerning Karnataka's interests. He argued that the state government should formally place its position before the Union Government, pointing out that remaining silent would be difficult for the people of coastal Karnataka to understand given that political leaders from Kerala have openly opposed the decision to protect their own state's interests.

The administrative shift addresses a long-standing demand from the people of coastal Karnataka. Previously, the rail network around Mangaluru was managed through multiple establishments, forcing infrastructure and operational matters for the same city to be handled across different authorities. The revised arrangement integrates the coastal terminal, the ghat section, and the inland corridor towards Hassan and Mysuru under the Mysuru Division, which already administers the Hassan-Mangaluru section.

According to Capt Chowta, this unified framework will enable better coordination for capacity augmentation, infrastructure works, passenger services, and freight movement. He also highlighted that Mangaluru serves as Karnataka's principal maritime gateway through the New Mangalore Port, which relies heavily on rail connectivity for cargo movement. The consolidated administration allows the Mangaluru-Hassan-Mysuru axis to function as an integrated transport corridor connecting the coast to the state's interior.

Capt Chowta stated that he has consistently pursued the issue since entering Parliament, raising the matter with the Minister of Railways in November 2024, during the Demands for Grants discussions in March 2025, and through a Lok Sabha unstarred question in March 2025. He has requested the Chief Minister to convey the state government's support for the notification to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister.

"Efficient logistics and integrated transport corridors are foundational for regional economic growth and industrial development. When key commercial hubs like Mangaluru and ports like New Mangalore gain streamlined administrative frameworks, it directly improves freight movement and supply chain efficiency. From a business and commerce perspective, coordinated infrastructure management between ports and rail networks reduces transit bottlenecks and enhances the overall investment climate of the region." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes