Mangaluru railway area’s inclusion in SWR zone to be celebrated soon: Satish Kumpala

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 27, 2026: A public celebration will soon be organised to mark the inclusion of the Mangaluru railway area in the South Western Railway (SWR) zone, Dakshina Kannada BJP president Satish Kumpala said.

Addressing a press conference at the district BJP office in Mangaluru, Kumpala said discussions had been held with Union Minister V. Somanna regarding the event, which would be scheduled based on the minister’s availability.

He said Union Minister V. Somanna, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta and former MPs from the district had made significant efforts towards the inclusion. The Centre’s decision would contribute to the development of the district, he said.

Kumpala also noted that Kerala BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar had clarified that the decision would not adversely affect Kerala and that Karnataka had received due consideration. However, local Congress leaders had not supported the move, he alleged.

He said routing trains through the Padil route instead of Mangaluru Central could save around 1.5 hours of travel time and benefit passengers from Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

Kumpala added that minor differences of opinion between the MPs of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada regarding the matter would be resolved soon.

Legislative Council member Kishore Kumar Puttur and BJP leaders Yathish Arvar, Premananda Shetty and Sanjay Prabhu were present at the press conference.