Mangaluru under South Western Railway to improve train operations: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The South Western Railway (SWR) is set to take over the entire Mangaluru railway area from the Southern Railway, Southern Railway, and Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This decision, announced during a meeting with Kerala MPs, aims to resolve operational issues plaguing the region, which is currently divided among three railway jurisdictions.

Vaishnaw explained that trains arriving in Mangaluru from Goa or Hassan may pass through multiple operational areas and interchange points, leading to delays and congestion. By rationalising the Mangaluru railway area and integrating it into the South Western Railway zone, the Ministry of Railways intends to eliminate interchange conflicts and streamline train operations.

The move is being described as an operational rationalisation aimed at improving efficiency, rather than an administrative change. In addition to this, Vaishnaw highlighted Kerala's progress in railway infrastructure, including 100% railway electrification, 35 redeveloped stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, over 180 train stoppages provided in the last five years, and the introduction of 22 new train services in the past two years.