AP Chambers Urges Major Rail Expansion Under South Coast Zone
The Chambers also emphasised the need for Dedicated Freight Corridors, strengthening of freight infrastructure and modernisation of major railway stations: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) on Friday urged the South Coast Railway Zone authorities to accelerate railway connectivity and infrastructure development across Andhra Pradesh.
In a representation submitted to newly appointed South Coast Railway Zone General Manager Sandip Mathur, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao described the commencement of operations of the new railway zone from June 1, 2026, as a significant development for the state.
He said the formation of the South Coast Railway Zone fulfilled a long-pending demand of Andhra Pradesh and was also one of the assurances under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
The Chambers stated that despite Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam divisions being among the highest revenue-generating divisions in Indian Railways, Andhra Pradesh continued to face gaps in train allocations, railway connectivity and infrastructure expansion.
It said divisions such as Guntur and Guntakal also required improved connectivity and modern infrastructure to meet increasing passenger and industrial demand.
AP Chambers urged the railway authorities to introduce additional originating trains from Vijayawada to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Pune and other major cities.
The federation also sought expansion of Vande Bharat services, including early morning connectivity from Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai and Tirupati, besides expediting the proposed Vijayawada–Bengaluru Vande Bharat service.
It further appealed for introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper services for long-distance routes and improved connectivity for Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Guntakal and Tirupati.
The Chambers also emphasised the need for Dedicated Freight Corridors, strengthening of freight infrastructure and modernisation of major railway stations, including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Guntur, Guntakal, Nellore and Kakinada.
