At the time of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Centre had guaranteed a new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters in the 2014 Reorganisation Act. This became a major election issue and in 2019 Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced the South Coast Railway Zone, which has now become a reality.
“South Coast Railway Zone: PM Modi Lays Foundation for Andhra Pradesh’s Dream Project in Visakhapatnam”
Andhra Pradesh’s long-cherished dream of an exclusive railway zone with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam became a reality on Wednesday, January 8, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for its administrative buildings.
The administrative buildings will be constructed at Mudasarlova in Visakhapatnam. The plan also includes construction of an 11-storey building in an area of 50 acres at an estimated cost of ₹149.16 crore. The tender process for the project will be completed by December 27, 2024.
The new railway zone, known as South Coast Railway, was the result of a long-running agitation by the people of Visakhapatnam, primarily.
“South Coast Railway Zone: A Milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s Aspirations with PM Modi’s Foundation Stone Ceremony”
Though the central government announced the zone in February 2019, a detailed project report (DPR) outlining the overall structure of the zone was prepared in the same year. The zone comprises Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal divisions of South Central Railway and Waltair division of East Coast Railway.
The announcement of South Coast Railway Zone by Prime Minister Modi and laying of the foundation stone of administrative buildings are considered important milestones in the struggle for its creation.
“South Coast Railway Zone: Boosting Andhra’s Industrial Growth and Regional Connectivity”
When the Congress government created new zones in 2003, immediate steps were taken to implement them. An MP from Andhra Pradesh is of the opinion that the NDA government should also follow this so that the ‘South Coast Railway Zone’ is operational soon so that it can serve its purpose.
Normally, new railway zones take time to come into existence. The growth of industrial development within the region plays a key role in its progress. In this context, the ‘South Coast Railway Zone’ has promising prospects. The Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam ports in Andhra Pradesh already handle significant cargo traffic.
Minerals such as laterite from around Visakhapatnam are transported in large quantities by rail. The region has excellent connectivity to national highways.
The region covers several financial centres. Upcoming projects such as ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel Corporation and Pharma Hub in Anakapalli district are expected to contribute significantly to railway revenues and ensure economic stability of the region.
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History of the Railway Zone
When the South Central Railway Zone was formed, most of the Telugu-speaking areas were transferred from the Southern Railway Zone headquartered in Chennai. However, the Voltaire Division, which is part of the South Eastern Railway Zone in Kolkata, has suffered continuous neglect. Despite repeated representations, problems such as limited job opportunities, delays in introducing new trains and overcrowded trains without additional coaches persisted.
In 1997, Prime Minister Deve Gowda laid the foundation stone of the East Coast Railway Zone, headquartered in Bhubaneswar, which also included the Voltaire Division in 2003. However, complaints of mistreatment of people from Andhra Pradesh, especially during recruitment exams in Odisha, and continued discrimination against passengers and employees fuelled the demand for a separate railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.
At the time of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Centre had promised a new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. This has become a major election issue in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. Ahead of the general elections, on February 27, 2019, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal formally announced the formation of ‘South Coast Railway Zone’ with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters. This is now a reality.
The Prime Minister, who is on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the state government, held a roadshow and addressed a public meeting. During the event, he will virtually launch several key projects focused on sustainable development and infrastructure development, especially in northern Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan joined him.
