The Centre on Thursday rejected a demand for a special railway zone for Kerala, saying it is not feasible and that such a move can stir a hornet's nest.
Making a statement on a calling attention motion by Communist Party of India (Marxists)'s V Radhakrishnan, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad rejected the contention that a zone cannot serve states with different topographical and inhabitation patterns.
"The Indian Railways is proud that it brings about unity in diversity," he said. As an integrated organisation it serves the needs of the entire country, he added.
Prasad said factors like size, workload, accessibility, traffic pattern and other operative requirements consistent with economic needs and efficiency are taken into account while considering creation of new zones. "Regional considerations have not been part of this exercise," he said.
Pressing his demand, Radhakrishnan alleged the railways was treating people of Kerala as 'second-hand' citizens. He said neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have got a better deal, while his state has been neglected.