Amaravati, May 5: Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said a long-cherished dream of the people of the state has been fulfilled with the Railway Ministry issuing a gazette notification establishing the SCR with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.
The chief minister noted that the new railway zone is set to commence operations on June 1.
“It is heartening that the Railway Ministry has issued a gazette notification establishing the South Coast Railway Zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters. The long-cherished dream of the people of Andhra Pradesh has been fulfilled,” he said in a post on X.
As part of the reorganisation of the Waltair Division, the merger of key sections such as Palasa–Ichchapuram into the Visakhapatnam Division will transform the transportation landscape of North Andhra, the chief minister said.
Naidu added that coordination between the newly formed Visakhapatnam Division and the Rayagada Division will further strengthen the railway system.
This will contribute to the state’s development, particularly the industrial growth of North Andhra, he emphasised.
“I extend my thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting Andhra Pradesh’s request and issuing this historic gazette notification, and to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw,” Naidu added.
Earlier, B C Janardhan Reddy said a new phase in the state’s transport sector will begin on June 1 with the official launch of the South Coast Railway Zone.
Expressing happiness over the Centre issuing a gazette notification defining the limits and jurisdiction of the new railway zone, Reddy thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for taking a favourable decision with the state’s interests in mind.
“A new era in the state’s transport sector will begin with the official commencement of the South Coast Railway Zone’s operations from June 1, 2026,” the state Minister for Roads and Buildings said in a press release.
He described the decision to set up the railway zone, with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters, as historic and the fulfilment of a long-cherished demand of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
With the new railway zone, Reddy said that railway infrastructure will improve, along with the introduction of new trains and better employment prospects.
