South Coast Railway Zone Becomes Operational
Visakhapatnam-headquartered SCoR inaugurated in Srikakulam, fulfilling decade-long demand
Visakhapatnam: The newly formed South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR), with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters, became operational on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the region.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation and TDP MP Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu unveiled the SCoR name board at AS Peta railway track near Ichapuram in Srikakulam district, formally launching the zone’s operations.
The establishment of the new railway zone, the 18th in the country, fulfills a long-pending demand of the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Centre had earlier issued a gazette notification on May 4, confirming the formation of the South Coast Railway Zone.
The operationalisation of SCoR is expected to enhance railway administration and improve connectivity across the region.
South Coast Railway zone gazette notification
In a gazette notification issued on May 4, 2026, the Ministry of Railways said: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Railways Act, 1989 (No.24 of 1989), the Central Government hereby constitutes a new Zonal Railway namely SOUTH COAST RAILWAY with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, out of the existing East Coast Railway and South Central Railway zones, with effect from 01.06.2026.”
According to the notification, the existing Waltair Division of East Coast Railway will be bifurcated in two parts. One part will remain under the existing East Coast Railway and will be renamed as the new Rayagada Division, while the remaining portion of the Waltair Division will become part of the newly created South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone and will be renamed as the Visakhapatnam Division.
