Mangaluru railway network to join SWR from October 1

Mangaluru: Ending a long-standing demand from coastal Karnataka, the Railway Board has approved the transfer of the Mangaluru-area railway network from Southern Railway (SR) to South Western Railway (SWR), paving the way for a more unified railway administration in the region.

The jurisdictional change will take effect from October 1, 2026, according to the Railway Board order notified in the Gazette.

Mangaluru area to come under Mysuru Division

Under the new arrangement, the Mangaluru railway area up to and including Ullal will be transferred from the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway to the Mysuru Division of South Western Railway.

The operational interchange between the two zones will also change. The existing SR-SWR interchange at Padil will shift to Ullal.

Thokur to remain with Konkan Railway

Thokur railway station will continue to remain under the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).

Following the restructuring, Thokur will become the interchange point between KRCL and SWR. The existing divisional and zonal boundaries between KRCL and Southern Railway will consequently become the boundaries between KRCL and SWR.

The Railway Board has stated that the precise boundaries between Southern Railway and South Western Railway will be specified in the Gazette notification.

Staff transfer arrangements outlined

The Railway Board has also issued directions concerning the transfer of railway posts and employees.

Transfer orders for posts and staff will be issued separately, while Group-B officers will be dealt with under existing rules. For non-gazetted employees, the transfer will take place on an “as is where is” basis.

Employees will have the option to continue with Southern Railway or opt for South Western Railway. Those choosing SWR will be transferred on administrative grounds, with seniority determined according to their length of service in the present grade.

Preparatory measures, including transferring posts, seeking staff options and shifting control boards, have been ordered to ensure the new arrangement is ready by October 1.

Three-way railway jurisdiction to change

The Mangaluru region currently has railway operations spread across Southern Railway, South Western Railway and Konkan Railway. The multiple jurisdictions have long been cited as a challenge to coordination and infrastructure planning in coastal Karnataka.

Local residents and public representatives have been demanding a more unified railway administration for Mangaluru.

Dakshina Kannada BJP MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta had repeatedly urged the Railway Ministry to bring the Mangaluru railway network under a single railway zone, arguing that a unified jurisdiction would improve administration, coordination and infrastructure development.

Welcoming the decision, Chowta said bringing the Mangaluru network under the Mysuru Division of SWR would streamline railway operations under one administrative system.

Somanna welcomes decision

Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, who had pursued the matter with the Railway Ministry, described the decision as a major step in response to the longstanding demands of coastal Karnataka.

He said the restructuring would support railway infrastructure development in the region, particularly in Mangaluru and surrounding areas.

From October 1, the Mangaluru railway area up to Ullal will therefore come under the Mysuru Division of SWR, while Thokur will remain with KRCL and serve as the KRCL-SWR interchange.

The restructuring is expected to simplify administration, improve coordination and provide a more streamlined framework for railway infrastructure development across coastal Karnataka.