Railway Minister evades query on reorganisation of Mangaluru Railway Region and bringing it under SWR

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, ducked a reply to specific questions by Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta on the reorganisation of Mangaluru Railway Region that is presently served by three Railway Zones – Southern, South Western and Konkan Railway. Chowta’s unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Vaishnaw said at multiple locations in the Indian Railway that have been junctions of three zones/divisions, passenger and freight trains operations were continuously monitored at divisional, zonal and Railway Board levels to ensure smooth and efficient services. Chowta asked whether the Ministry had received any representation for the reorganisation of Mangaluru Railway Administration by including it under SWR’s Mysuru Division; whether the Railways had assessed the logistical and operational benefits of shifting the region to SWR; whether any studies were conducted on the impact of the present set up on passenger and freight trains operations and whether the Ministry has planned measures to improve the administrative efficiency and accessibility of railway services in Mangaluru. He cited the development of four stations in DK under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme; doubling Mangaluru Junction-Jokatte-Thokur section; new line surveys for Shivamogga-Sringeri-Mangaluru, Hassan-Mangaluru doubling and Mangaluru-Shoranur 3rd and 4th lines, among others, as steps taken to improve administrative efficiency and accessibility of railway services in Mangaluru area.