Integrating Mangaluru with SWR: Capt. Chowta urges Karnataka CM to throw his weight behind Railway’s decision

As the Karnataka government remains mute over the Railway Ministry’s decision to bring Mangaluru Railway Region under South Western Railway (SWR) and the Keralam government led by Congress’ V.D. Satheesan vehemently opposes the move, Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has urged Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to throw his weight behind the decision favouring the State.

“This is not about taking a position against a neighbouring State. It is about placing Karnataka’s considered position on the railway administration and developmental requirements of Mangaluru formally before the Union Government. I believe the people of Karnataka can reasonably expect our State Government to stand behind this long-pending demand and support its implementation,” he said in an August 24 letter to Mr. Shivakumar.

Capt. Chowta said the August 21 notification of the Railway Ministry bringing Mangaluru under SWR’s Mysuru Division from Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division was the culmination of people’s aspirations from the region ever since SWR was formed in 2023. The changes are made keeping in view the operational requirements of the railway network.

Important for Karnataka

The MP said the revised arrangement is important for Karnataka as a whole. Mysuru Division already administers the Hassan-Mangaluru section, which provides the principal rail connection between the coast and the interior of the State. Bringing Mangaluru within the same divisional framework will allow the coastal terminal, the ghat section and the inland corridor towards Hassan and Mysuru to be planned and administered in a more integrated manner.

Maritime gateway

Mangaluru is also Karnataka’s principal maritime gateway. The New Mangalore Port serves the industrial and commercial hinterland of the State and depends substantially on rail connectivity for movement of cargo. The revised arrangement, therefore, gives Karnataka an opportunity to approach the Mangaluru-Hassan-Mysuru axis as an integrated passenger and freight corridor connecting the coast and the port with the interior of the State.

Capt. Chowta recalled his efforts in pursuing the integration issue with the Centre after getting elected to the Lok Sabha.

While Mr. Satheesan is learnt to have approached the Prime Minister against the bifurcation, Keralam MPs cutting across party lines too have opposed the decision.

Recalling Mr. Shivakumar’s first meeting with Karnataka MPs after assuming the office, that one must rise above party differences on matters concerning Karnataka, Capt. Chowta urged the former to apply the same principle to the Mangaluru Railway issue too.

While leaders and MPs from Keralam belonging to Congress have taken a clear public stand seeking reversal of the decision, it would be difficult for Karnataka people to understand why their government is keeping silent on a formally notified decision directly concerning Karnataka.

He urged Mr. Shivakumar to convey to the Union government Karnataka’s support for implementing the August 21 decision.