Seven Stations Moved To Visakhapatnam Railway Division
That had the section remained under Khurda, it would have continued under the East Coast Railway Zone based in Bhubaneswar: Officials
VISAKHAPATNAM: In a significant development for the South Coast Railway Zone, the Railway Board has transferred the Palasa–Ichchapuram section, along with seven railway stations, to the Visakhapatnam Division.
The seven stations Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jadupudi and Ichchapuram will now come under the South Coast Railway Zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam.
Until now, the stretch was under the Khurda Division of the East Coast Railway Zone in Odisha. With the latest orders, the section will be brought under the Visakhapatnam Division. Directions have been issued to the general managers of both South Coast and East Coast Railways to implement the transfer.
Officials said that had the section remained under Khurda, it would have continued under the East Coast Railway Zone based in Bhubaneswar.
Sources in South Central Railway indicated that a comprehensive announcement regarding the South Coast Railway Zone is expected soon. The administrative building for the zone is nearing completion, and the process of transferring officials is under way.
Details regarding territorial limits, route length, constituent divisions and specific stations are likely to be announced shortly. Officials also clarified that there is no proposal to establish a Kazipet division, putting speculation to rest.
Union minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the decision, calling it a major step for Srikakulam district and north coastal Andhra. He thanked Ashwini Vaishnaw and Narendra Modi for approving the transfer.
He said the move would benefit farmers in Srikakulam, as the Ichchapuram–Palasa section would now fall under the Visakhapatnam-based zone. He also noted that issues related to the Neradi barrage across the Vamsadhara river had been resolved, describing the development as significant for the region.
