Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta has written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, requesting full state‑level administrative support for the Railway Board's notification that transfers the Mangaluru railway network to the South Western Railway zone's Mysuru division.
The Ministry of Railways has already issued the formal order separating the Mangaluru network from the Palakkad division and attaching it to Mysuru. This step follows the Central Government's decision to realign the region's rail administration, a move long demanded by commuters along the coast.
For passengers in coastal Karnataka, the merger resolves a persistent connectivity bottleneck. By bringing the Mangaluru lines under Mysuru's jurisdiction, the state anticipates smoother scheduling, better maintenance coordination and a stronger overall railway grid across Karnataka.
Chowta emphasised that the state must act swiftly to avoid any procedural confusion or delay. He asked the chief minister to ensure that all relevant departments cooperate, so the transition proceeds without hindrance.
Meanwhile, political leaders in Kerala, including the state chief minister, have sent letters to the Centre asking for a review of the Railway Board's order. Their intervention reflects concerns over the impact of the realignment on Kerala's rail traffic.
Given these parallel developments, Chowta appealed to the Karnataka chief minister to intervene promptly, safeguarding the state's interests. He warned that any obstruction could stall the implementation of a decision already sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK