Kerala parties oppose Railway Board's Palakkad division bifurcation

Political parties and leaders across Kerala have united in strong opposition to the Railway Board's decision to bifurcate the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad division and merge it with the Mysuru division of South Western Railway. The decision, set to take effect from October 1, 2026, is expected to significantly undermine the operational and financial health of the Palakkad division.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan called the move unilateral and unacceptable, stating the state government was not informed or consulted. He announced that Kerala would urgently approach the Centre, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to demand a reconsideration. "It will severely impact the revenue and development of the Southern Railway and Keralam," Satheesan said, adding that the state would exert pressure with the cooperation of its MPs.

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleged the decision could reduce the Palakkad division's revenue by up to 60 percent. He pointed out that goods worth approximately 625 crore were handled through the Panambur Goods Yard in the previous financial year, revenue that would now be lost. Vijayan further stated that...