Kerala MP Brittas opposes bifurcation of Palakkad Railway Division, calls it a conspiracy

New Delhi: CPM MP John Brittas sent a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, expressing his strong opposition to the reported plan to split the Palakkad Railway Division to create a new Mangalore Division.

In his correspondence, Brittas, the Rajya Sabha MP representing Kerala, conveyed his concerns that this proposed bifurcation would have detrimental effects on both the state’s railway infrastructure and its broader socio-economic landscape.

Brittas argued that "the proposal to carve out a new Mangalore Division from the existing Palakkad Division seems to be part of a larger conspiracy against Kerala, lacking both economic justification and administrative necessity."

He highlighted that the Palakkad Division plays a crucial role in the Southern Railway network, known for its excellent performance in managing passenger traffic and generating revenue. He criticised the proposal for lacking both economic rationale and administrative merit.

Furthermore, Brittas pointed out that this proposal contradicts a Southern Railway press statement from May 2024, which had denied any intentions to modify the Palakkad Division.

He emphasised, "The people of Kerala have consistently supported Indian Railways, yet their legitimate needs and expectations have been ignored."

In his appeal, Brittas urged the minister to take immediate action to reconsider and abandon the plan to establish the new Mangalore Division. He instead called on the Railway Minister to focus on meeting the long-standing developmental needs of Kerala’s railway infrastructure.

"I earnestly request that you direct the relevant authorities to reconsider and withdraw the proposed plan to create a new Mangalore Division by bifurcating the Palakkad Division. Instead, I appeal to your esteemed office to prioritise addressing the developmental requirements of Kerala’s railway infrastructure," Brittas wrote. PTI