Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 20: It is learnt that the Railway Board, which had favourably considered a proposal to include Mangaluru area under southwestern railway zone, has reversed the decision. This information has come in with inordinate delay.

The board had passed an order to attach Mangaluru area, which currently is under the Southern Railway, to the southwestern railway. The people and the leaders had been pursuing the implementation of this decision as the region faces several problems. The zone general manager had written to the Railway Board, recommending to bring Mangaluru and Thokur under southwestern railway. The railway board, in its response in February this year, said that after detailed consideration, it has been decided to continue the Mangaluru complex comprising Mangaluru central and junction stations under the southern railway and Thokur under Konan Railway Corporation.

Mangaluru Central railway station (file photo)

When the then railway minister, Nitish Kumar, visited the city, he had asked Mangaluru railway station to be brought under Mysuru division of the southwestern railway. As gauge conversion work between the city and Hassan was under way then, the gazette notification had been put on hold.

Currently, Mangaluru division is facing problems of coordination as it has to depend on southern railway, southwestern railway and Konkan Railway Corporation. If it is brought under Mysuru division, administratively the area falls under a single system and coordination becomes easier.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, said that he has not come across the said letter of the Railway Board. He said he is clear that the area should be brought under southwestern railway division and that he will speak to the railway minister on the issue.