Malappuram DDC urges Center to cancel division of Palakkad railway division

District Collector Vinay Goyal addressing the District Development Committee meeting in Malappuram on September 5, 2026. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

The Malappuram District Development Committee (DDC) unanimously opposed the proposed bifurcation of the Palakkad railway division and urged the Railway Board and the Union government to withdraw the plan.

The Railway Board has proposed to shift the Mangaluru-Ullal section from Palakkad Division to Mysuru Division. The committee said the move will affect the development of railways and passenger services in Malappuram, North Malabar and Kasaragod.

The resolution, moved by Gafur Kurumadan representing Public Works Minister PK Basheer, said the change could hinder new train services, additional stops and infrastructure projects in the region.

PK Navas, MLA, lauded the police for maintaining peace at Unnyal Beach following the recent political clashes. He asked the Tirur sub-collector to take further action, including arrests if necessary, and remove unauthorized political structures, sheds, hoardings, cut-outs and flags. The sub-collector said the parties have been asked to remove them and the revenue authorities will remove those remaining after Sunday (September 6, 2026).

MLA TV Ibrahim, Abid Hussain Thangal and PMA Sameer asked the Regional Transport Officer to address the problems caused by long distance buses not plying on service roads along National Highway 66.

The district medical officer said cases of H1N1, leptospirosis and dengue fever were reported during the changing weather but remained under control. Mr. Ibrahim also sought the restoration of roads damaged by the Jal Jeevan Mission in Vallikkunnu.

Mr. Thangal sought faster progress on the Puthoor-Chenakkal bypass and the proposed fire station at Valanchery.

M. Rahmathulla, MLA, asked the officials to expedite the survey for the Manjeri-Olipuzha road and fill up the vacancies if the lack of staff delayed the work.

The meeting felicitated three panchayat secretaries – AM Narayanan of Edavoor, P Avisanna of Mampad and Krishnakumari of Pothukallu – for their performance in implementing the project.

Seven village officers — KV Madhu of Ponnani village, Mini Shyamalan of Thalakkad, PV Shaji of Parappur, Suja Jacob of Alipparamba, Muhammed Poovakkadan of Panakkad, Preethi of Karulai and Unnikrishnan of Muthuvallur — were also felicitated for their performance.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 21:29 IST