South Coast Rly zone on June 1

metro india news  I Visakhapatnam

In a landmark development that fulfills a long-pending promise to the people of Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has officially notified the formation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters. As per the gazette notification, the new zone will commence operations from June 1, 2026, becoming the 18th zone under Indian Railways.

The creation of the Visakhapatnam-based railway zone was a key assurance under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, and its implementation marks a significant administrative and political milestone. The move is expected to decentralise railway governance, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate infrastructure development in the state, particularly in the North Coastal Andhra region.

Under the new structure, the Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions, currently under the South Central Railway, will be brought under the SCoR Zone. A major restructuring has also been carried out with regard to the existing Waltair Division. It has been bifurcated into two separate divisions, Visakhapatnam Division and Rayagada Division.

The Visakhapatnam Division will be integrated into the new South Coast Railway Zone, 

while the Rayagada Division will remain under the East Coast Railway (ECoR). Several key railway sections, including Ichchapuram–Palasa, Palasa–Visakhapatnam, and parts of the Koraput–Kirandul line, have been reorganised between these divisions to streamline operations.

Additionally, specific route adjustments have been notified. The Raichur–Wadi section from Guntakal Division has been transferred to Secunderabad Division, while multiple strategic lines such as Naupada–Parlakimidi, Bobbili–Salur, and Simhachalam–Vadlapudi have been integrated into the Visakhapatnam Division to strengthen connectivity across coastal and tribal regions.

The proposal for a separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh dates back to 2014, following the bifurcation of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.

In February 2019, the Centre had initially announced the formation of the Visakhapatnam railway zone. However, procedural delays, feasibility studies, and administrative complexities slowed its progress.

Momentum was regained in January 2025, when the Detailed Project Report (DPR) received approval. Subsequently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the zonal headquarters building in Visakhapatnam. The permanent headquarters is coming up at Arilova, while temporary operations have been readied at the VMRDA complex, where office infrastructure is already in place.

Senior-level appointments for the new zone have largely been completed, including key positions such as Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Principal Chief Engineer, Principal Chief Personnel Officer, and Principal Financial Advisor. Officials indicated that around 1,200 personnel will be directly stationed at the zonal headquarters, while the entire zone is expected to employ nearly 17,000 staff.

Interestingly, over 3,000 railway employees from other zones have expressed willingness to work under the Visakhapatnam zone, reflecting strong interest in the new administrative setup.

Railway authorities believe that the new zone will significantly enhance operational efficiency, reduce administrative delays, and allow focused development of rail infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. 

Improved coordination between divisions is expected to lead to better train management, faster project execution, and enhanced passenger and freight services.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the development, calling it a historic moment for the state. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for fulfilling the long-standing demand.

Naidu noted that the reorganisation of the Waltair Division and the inclusion of key railway sections into the Visakhapatnam Division would transform the transport landscape of North Andhra.

 He expressed confidence that the new zone would play a crucial role in boosting industrial growth, port connectivity, and logistics efficiency in the region.

Experts view the South Coast Railway Zone as a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh’s economic trajectory. With Visakhapatnam already emerging as a major port city and industrial hub, the new railway zone is expected to complement ongoing infrastructure initiatives, including industrial corridors and logistics parks.

The improved rail network is likely to benefit sectors such as mining, steel, agriculture, and exports, while also enhancing connectivity to remote and tribal areas. For millions of passengers, the new zone promises better services, improved scheduling, and faster grievance redressal.