Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 26: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has written to chief minister D K Shivakumar, urging the state government to provide complete administrative cooperation to implement the central government's historic decision to integrate the Mangaluru railway network into the South Western Railway zone.

In his detailed letter to the chief minister, Capt Chowta highlighted that the Railway Ministry has already taken the necessary steps and issued a notification to separate the Mangaluru railway network from the Palakkad division and merge it with the Mysuru division. He noted that fulfilling this long-standing demand of coastal railway passengers is a significant step towards strengthening the railway network of the entire state of Karnataka.

The MP requested the chief minister to take a special interest in completing the integration process as soon as possible, ensuring there is no confusion or administrative delay.

Pointing to reports that the Kerala chief minister and political parties from the neighboring state have written to the Centre seeking a review of the Railway Board's order, Capt Chowta urged D K Shivakumar to intervene urgently. He emphasized the need to protect Karnataka's interests and prevent any obstacles to the implementation of the Railway Ministry's directive.

He further stated that this decision will greatly benefit the overall improvement, administration, and operations of the Mangaluru railway network. The central government made this crucial decision and issued the notification after thoroughly reviewing the ground reality to strengthen the coastal and state railway systems, he added.

Capt Chowta stressed that the Centre's decision should be viewed as an administrative necessity for Mangaluru rather than a stance against the neighboring state. In light of the objections raised by Kerala, he requested the Karnataka government to take necessary steps to officially present its clear and supportive stance before the central government.