DYFI Protests Across Keralam Against Centre's Move to Split Palakkad Railway Division

Kozhikode: The DYFI held protests across Keralam against the Central government's decision to restructure the Palakkad Railway Division. Hundreds of young people participated in protest marches to various railway stations.

The march to Kozhikode Railway Station was inaugurated by DYFI All India Vice President V Vaseef. The march to Kanhangad Railway Station was inaugurated by DYFI state secretary and MLA M Vijin.

The Railway Board has issued an order removing the Mangaluru section from the Palakkad Division and merging it with the Mysuru Division. The change will come into effect from October 1.

The move is being seen as another blow to Keralam from the Central government, which had earlier denied the state the Kanjikode Coach Factory. With the restructuring, a major source of revenue for the Palakkad Division will be lost. Around 90 per cent of the division's freight revenue comes from the Mangaluru sector. The division currently earns Rs 2.75 crore a day.

The move could gradually lead to the Palakkad Division being sidelined on the grounds of losses. A decline in revenue could also result in new trains and railway lines being denied to the division.

DYFI has decided to intensify its agitation in the coming days against what it termed the Central government's anti-Keralam measures.