Mangaluru Railway Division Row: V Somanna Defends Mysuru Zone Decision

The decision concerning Mangaluru railway operations has triggered a political dispute in Kerala, with several parties opposing the move to bring the railway unit under the Mysuru division. Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna has now defended the decision, saying it was taken after detailed technical and administrative discussions.

Speaking in Tumakuru, Somanna said there was no political motive or personal interest behind the decision. He maintained that the matter had remained unresolved for years and that railway officials had examined the practical advantages before arriving at the current arrangement.

The minister also responded sharply to protests being held in Kerala over the issue. He said he was not concerned about the criticism and maintained that he had not done anything wrong or acted against Kerala’s interests.

According to Somanna, the demand for a separate railway division for Mangaluru has existed for around 25 years. Several railway ministers had considered the matter in the past, while former Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had also made efforts in this direction.

Somanna said current Mangaluru MP Captain Brijesh Chowta had approached him and requested that a solution be found. He added that he personally took up the issue with senior railway officials and arranged for three general managers to visit the area to examine the advantages and disadvantages.

The minister said the decision was ultimately based on technical findings rather than political considerations. He rejected suggestions of favouritism and argued that the new arrangement could make railway administration more convenient for the Mangaluru region.

One of the key points highlighted by Somanna was the distance involved in railway administration. The distance between Mangaluru and Palakkad is around 350 kilometres, while the distance between Mysuru and Palakkad is approximately 80 to 100 kilometres. He said this difference was among the factors considered during the assessment.

Although the demand for an independent Mangaluru railway division continues to exist, Somanna said the present arrangement could provide a practical solution to an issue that had remained pending for many years. He also suggested that the functioning and impact of the arrangement could be reviewed after a year.

The decision has faced opposition from political groups in Kerala, including the UDF, CPI and CPM. Leaders and supporters of these parties have protested against the change and criticised the central government over the railway administration decision.

Somanna, however, said the protests would not change his position. He reiterated that the move was made as part of his responsibility in the Union railway ministry and that Kerala had not been treated unfairly.

He also pointed to the economic importance of Mangaluru. The coastal city is home to an important port and plays a significant role in cargo movement, trade, imports and exports. Somanna said closer railway administration could help support these activities and improve opportunities for the region.

The minister further noted that Kerala has several fishing ports and is also focusing on port development. In a similar way, he said Karnataka’s Mangaluru port requires efficient transport links to support its growing cargo and trade activities.

The Mangaluru railway issue is therefore likely to remain politically sensitive, particularly in Kerala, where opposition parties continue to question the decision. Somanna has made it clear that the Centre considers the move an administrative and technical decision rather than a political one.