Kodikunnil Suresh, P.C. Thomas raise concerns over proposed restructuring of railway divisions

MP Kodikunnil Suresh | Photo Credit: ANI Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, has voiced strong protest against ongoing moves to restructure the Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram railway divisions, cautioning that the changes would severely undermine Keralam’s long-term interests and regional rail development.Contacting Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the phone, the MP, who is also a member of Indian Railway Consultative Committee, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the decisions and pointed out that transferring key regions, including Mangaluru, which fall under the Palakkad division, to the Mysuru division is a major setback for the State. Since orders regarding the division of Palakkad have already been issued, he urged the Union Railway Ministry to urgently review and revoke the directive.Developmental packageIf revoking the decision is not feasible, Mr. Suresh demanded a proportionate developmental package for the Palakkad division to compensate for its losses, along with immediate steps to fully upgrade Kasaragod railway station into a major railway terminus. He also raised strong objections to reports suggesting plans to form a new railway division headquartered in Tirunelveli by carving out areas from the Thiruvananthapuram division. Observing that Thiruvananthapuram division plays a vital role in the rail infrastructure of southern Keralam, he maintained that any partition of the division is unacceptable and warned against measures that would weaken its scope. The MP added that the Railway Ministry should instead prioritise expanding the State’s overall rail network, speeding up existing projects, and urgently implementing rail connectivity for the Vizhinjam International Seaport.Echoing similar concerns, Kerala Congress working chairperson and former Union Minister P.C. Thomas strongly criticised the Union government’s move, demanding that instead of restructuring existing divisions, the Centre should establish a dedicated railway zone centred in Keralam. Reacting to the proposed changes affecting both the Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram divisions, Mr. Thomas pointed out that Keralam is one of the highest railway-utilising States in the country and deserves expanded infrastructure. He added that reorganising divisions might only make sense if accompanied by the creation of an exclusive rail zone for the State, warning that the current moves would otherwise be viewed as blatant neglect towards Keralam. Published - August 28, 2026 07:13 pm IST