Malappuram panel opposes Palakkad rail division split, flags service impact

The Malappuram District Development Committee (DDC) has unanimously opposed the Railway Board's proposal to bifurcate the Palakkad Railway Division, urging the Union government to withdraw the plan.

The proposal involves shifting the Mangaluru-Ullal section from Palakkad to the Mysuru division. Committee members argued that the move would adversely affect rail development, passenger services, and infrastructure projects across Malappuram, north Malabar, and Kasaragod.

A resolution moved by Gafur Kurumadan, representing Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer, warned that the change could stall new train services, additional halts, and ongoing railway works in the region.

In other business, MLA P.K. Navas commended police for maintaining peace at Unnyal beach following recent political clashes. He urged the Tirur Sub-Collector to take further action, including arrests if necessary, and to remove unauthorised political structures, sheds, boards, cutouts, and flags. The Sub-Collector said parties had been asked to remove such items, and that revenue authorities would clear any remaining after Sunday.

MLAs T.V. Ibrahim, Abid Hussain Thangal, and P.M.A. Sameer raised concerns about long-distance buses skipping service roads along National Highway 66, and sought action from the Regional Transport Officer.

The District Medical Officer reported that H1N1, leptospirosis, and dengue cases were emerging amid changing weather but remained under control. Mr. Ibrahim also requested restoration of roads damaged by Jal Jeevan Mission works at Vallikkunnu.

Mr. Thangal pressed for faster progress on the Puthoor-Chenakkal bypass and the proposed fire station at Valanchery. MLA M. Rahmathulla asked officials to expedite the survey for the Manjeri-Olipuzha road and fill vacant posts if staff shortages were causing delays.

The meeting also felicitated three panchayat secretaries and seven village officers for their performance in project implementation.