Palakkad Division Split: Centre Ignoring Keralam’s Concerns

New Delhi: Union Minister of State V Somanna has ignored the concerns of passengers from Keralam over the proposed division of the Palakkad railway division. Somanna said that the views of the general managers of Konkan Railway, South Central Railway and South Western Railway had been sought, and that the Centre would not yield to pressure from Keralam.

The Centre has taken a stand of ignoring Keralam’s concerns despite the state clearly conveying its apprehensions over the move. In addition, the minister has indicated that the division of the railway network centred around Mangaluru is also likely to take place soon.

However, the division of the Palakkad division would result in the loss of the Panambur goods yard and key railway stations, which have been major sources of revenue from freight services. This would severely undermine the financial stability of the Palakkad division and could eventually lead to a situation where the division itself ceases to exist.

This would seriously affect railway development projects in the Malabar region as well as the allocation of new train services. Despite Keralam highlighting all these concerns, the Centre continues to maintain an indifferent attitude towards the state.