Southern Coast Railway Zone Begins Operations Today, Fulfilling Decades-old AP Dream

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday described the launch of the Southern Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone with its headquarters at Visakhapatnam from June 1 as a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh.

In a message posted on social media, Naidu said the new railway zone marked the fulfillment of a long-cherished aspiration of the people. It would transform the transportation landscape of north Andhra, generate employment opportunities, spur industrial growth and strengthen AP’s position as a logistics hub.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for honouring a significant commitment made to the state.

The CM said this would accelerate the state's economic development through improved railway administration and infrastructure.

Roads minister BC Janardhan Reddy said the commencement of operations of the new zone was a landmark event. This would speed up railway track expansion, station modernisation, introduction of new trains and improved connectivity across AP.

Health Minister Satya Yadav said the Centre had given special priority to railway development in the state, with projects worth nearly Rs.85,000 crore currently under implementation. AP had received Rs.10,135 crore for railway works in 2026-27 compared to Rs.886 crore in 2013-14.

The new zone, he said, would significantly benefit north Andhra by improving connectivity to major infrastructure projects, including the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and the upcoming Bhogapuram airport. The youth in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts would gain better employment opportunities.

Telugu Desam state president Palla Srinivasa Rao termed June 1 a historic day for Telugu people, saying the railway zone was the result of decades of public struggle and sustained efforts by successive generations.

Palla said the network would emerge as the country's 18th railway zone, covering nearly 4,000km of railway network and about 99 per cent of Andhra Pradesh's rail infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the zone would boost industrial activity, strengthen port-led development, create jobs and ensure faster decision-making on railway projects, ushering in a new phase of growth for the state.