Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa has said that creation of new Railway divisions requires policy decisions.
Replying to queries of presspersons on the need for creating a separate railway division for Mangalore, he said there are demands for creation of 16 railway divisions in the country.
In Karnataka, people are demanding separate railway divisions in Mangalore and Gulbarga.
“This requires a policy decision. Till now, Railway Board has not taken any such decision,” he said here on Monday.
When the Railway Board takes such a decision, Gulbarga and Mangalore will be in that list. He clarified that he would not give any assurance on it now. However, priority will be given to Mangalore and Gulbarga when such a move is made, he said.
It may be mentioned here that people of Mangalore region, including Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are seeking creation of a railway division in Mangalore.
Mangalore city comes under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway, and areas a few kilometres away from the city come under the jurisdictions of Konkan Railway, and the Mysore division of South Western Railway. Their contention is that such a situation creates problems while taking up various railway development projects.
On the development of railway stations, Muniyappa said that Byppanahalli railway station in Bangalore will be developed as a world-class station on 50 acres of land. Project report on this is ready, he added.