Political Leaders Oppose Railway Board Decision to Bifurcate Palakkad Division

Political parties cutting across party lines have expressed strong opposition to the Railway Board’s decision to bifurcate the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad division. The affected area is scheduled to be merged with the Mysuru division of the South Western Railway, with the decision set to take effect from October 1.

State leaders have described the move as unilateral. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the decision was taken without informing the State government and is expected to significantly undermine the operational and financial importance of the Palakkad division, causing substantial revenue losses to both the Southern Railway and the State.

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the bifurcation could reduce the Palakkad division’s revenue by up to 60 per cent. He urged the State government and Members of Parliament from Kerala to exert immediate pressure on the Union government to review the decision.

Financial implications highlighted by leaders include the loss of revenue from the Panambur Goods Yard, which handled goods worth around ₹625 crore in the previous financial year. Additionally, trains originating from Mangaluru, including services to Thiruvananthapuram, will come under the Mysuru division. This shift could potentially leave the Palakkad division without a single train originating from within its jurisdiction.

Rail passenger association Friends on Rail also weighed in on the matter, calling the bifurcation a major setback to regional railway development aspirations. The association noted that the Ministry of Railways took the decision without considering Kerala’s long-standing demand for a separate railway zone.

The association further pointed out that the earlier formation of the Salem division had already reduced the geographical extent of the Palakkad division. This latest transfer of additional areas to the Mysuru division is expected to further hamper operational and development prospects, and could eventually lead to the closure of several low-income stations while adversely affecting train services between Mangaluru and Kerala.

"Changes in administrative boundaries and logistics networks can have a direct impact on regional revenue streams and operational efficiency. When infrastructure assets like freight yards and originating train services are transferred between divisions, the financial balance of the affected zones shifts significantly. For businesses and regional economies dependent on these transit corridors, stability in logistics policy is critical for long-term planning and development." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes