Railway divisions: Concerns over another reorganisation; Railways says no proposal under consideration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Concerns have been raised that railway divisions in Kerala could be reorganised again after Mangaluru stations were recently shifted from the Palakkad Railway Division. However, railway divisional authorities said there are currently no proposals for any such changes.

Railway divisions are split, merged or newly formed after assessing administrative convenience and development potential. The transfer of Mangaluru stations to the Mysuru Division was also based on an assessment of development prospects.

The Karnataka government regularly allocates funds for railway development in the state, while Kerala is facing difficulties in finding funds for railway projects. Karnataka's elected representatives had complained that development works in the Palakkad Division were progressing slowly as most of the division falls within Kerala. They had also raised concerns over the pace of railway development in Mangaluru. Considering these issues, Mangaluru was brought under the Mysuru Division.

Mangaluru's railway administration could undergo another change in the future if the Indian Railways takes over the Konkan Railway Corporation. Similar questions could arise over areas such as Pollachi, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari, which come under the Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram railway divisions. However, railway development in these areas is progressing without major complaints.

Development of the Nagercoil and Shenkottai railway lines, centred around Thiruvananthapuram, is also progressing at a fast pace. In this situation, there is currently no administrative or development-related need to reorganise the railway divisions in these areas. Representatives from Tamil Nadu have also not raised any complaints on the issue.

The Palakkad Division was previously reorganised, with some areas transferred to the Salem Division, based on administrative considerations. However, railway authorities believe that Pollachi does not face a similar situation. The Pollachi route is currently being served by the maximum possible number of trains.