Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Sep 5: AICC Secretary and MLC P V Mohan has strongly opposed the decision to transfer railway administrative jurisdiction from the Palakkad division to the Mysuru division, asserting that the long-standing demand of coastal Karnataka is for a separate Mangaluru Railway Division.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan here on Saturday, September 5, Mohan said the recent railway reorganisation should be welcomed insofar as Mangaluru is being separated from the Palakkad division, but questioned why the jurisdiction was being handed over to Mysuru instead of creating a separate division for Mangaluru.

“We welcome the separation from Palakkad. But our demand is not to transfer our rights to Mysuru. We want our rights to be given to us,” he said.

Mohan alleged that the decision amounted to a betrayal of the people of coastal Karnataka and questioned why the BJP government, local MPs and legislators had failed to exert pressure for a separate Mangaluru division despite the region's long-standing demand.

Mohan claimed that Mangaluru has sufficient railway infrastructure, revenue generation and economic activity to qualify for a separate division.

“Mangaluru has more railway infrastructure than Mysuru. If Mysuru is eligible for a division, Mangaluru has even greater eligibility. We can even become a zone, but our immediate demand is a separate division,” he said.

He pointed out that Mangaluru is connected through the Konkan Railway, the Hassan-Mangaluru line and major port infrastructure, while the city has two major railway terminals — Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction.

He also highlighted the importance of New Mangaluru Port, industries, educational institutions and religious tourism in the region, arguing that a separate railway division could generate employment and accelerate economic activity in coastal Karnataka.

Mohan said the demand should not be viewed as an issue concerning Mangaluru alone, but as a matter concerning the wider coastal region, including Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

He stressed the need to view Mangaluru, coastal Karnataka, New Mangaluru Port, Konkan connectivity and the Hassan-Bengaluru corridor as an integrated railway-economic region.

“Mangaluru has the port, connectivity and economic potential. What is lacking is a focused railway administration that can drive comprehensive development,” he said.

Mohan also criticised the condition of several railway facilities, particularly Padil station, and questioned whether the present administrative arrangement had adequately addressed the region's infrastructure requirements.

Recalling the history of the movement, Mohan said the demand for a separate Mangaluru Railway Division was not a new political demand but the result of decades of public struggle.

He said the movement had included rail roko protests, dharnas, hunger strikes, public meetings, signature campaigns and postcard campaigns, with people and organisations from different political backgrounds participating.

He recalled that thousands of postcards had been sent to the Railway Minister and Railway Board Chairman as part of the campaign, while various organisations had also demanded better railway connectivity between Mangaluru and Bengaluru and Mumbai, doubling of railway lines and improved railway infrastructure.

Mohan said former Union minister Oscar Fernandes had played an important role in preparing a roadmap for a separate Mangaluru division.

“If Oscar Fernandes had been there, perhaps this would have happened. Everything had been worked out,” he said.

He said the nature of public movements had changed with the rise of digital platforms and announced that the Congress would make extensive use of social media to mobilise public opinion.

“We will use the digital power. Instagram and Twitter will be used to create awareness. This is going to be an election issue,” he said.

Responding to a question on why the Congress had not established a separate division when it was in power, Mohan said the railway infrastructure in the region had not been sufficiently developed at that time.

He pointed out that the Hassan-Mangaluru railway line, gauge conversion and other infrastructure developments had taken place subsequently, strengthening Mangaluru's case for a separate division.

Mohan made a strong political commitment that if the Congress returns to power in 2029, it will establish a separate Mangaluru Railway Division.

“If they do not do it, the Congress government will come in 2029 under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, and we will create a separate Mangaluru Railway Division,” he declared.

“Mysuru is our own. We are not against Mysuru. But why should something belonging to Mangaluru be given to Mysuru when the people here have been demanding a separate division for decades?” he asked.

Mohan further alleged that the transfer of railway administration could deprive the coastal region of employment opportunities and economic benefits that could have emerged from a dedicated railway division.

Mohan claimed that railway operations connected to the Mangaluru region generate significant revenue and questioned why the economic benefits should not be retained within the region.

He referred to an estimated annual revenue of around Rs 1,100 crore, asking why the region should not have an administrative division corresponding to its economic contribution.

He also criticised the merger of historic banks such as Vijaya Bank and Syndicate Bank, arguing that coastal Karnataka had repeatedly witnessed the loss of institutions with strong regional roots.

“The people of Mangaluru have to understand this. We will create awareness among them. This is not merely an administrative change; it is a question of the development and economic future of coastal Karnataka,” Mohan said.

Congress district president Harish Kumar, senior vice-president Ponnayya, Chittaranjan, T K Sudheer, Prem, Ramananda Poojary, Yogesh Kumar and Nawaz were among those present at the press conference.