The central government clarified that this new zone is being set up as part of the commitments made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.
Vijayawada:The Union Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for establishment of the South Coast Railway Zone and it will be headquartered in Visakhapatnam. The central government clarified that this new zone is being set up as part of the commitments made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.
This approval has been granted post facto, indicating retroactive acknowledgment of the promise made during the state's bifurcation, an official statement said.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw elaborated on the decisions taken at the cabinet meeting. He said the formation of the South Coast Railway Zone will enhance railway connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The statement said, "The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi gave its ex-post facto approval for partial modification of the earlier decision of the cabinet dated 28.02.2019 to retain Waltair division in truncated form and rename it as Visakhapatnam division. Thus, one part of Waltair division, comprising approximately of the sections between stations Palasa-Visakhapatnam- Duvvada, Kuneru – Vizianagaram, Naupada Jn – Paralakhemundi, Bobbili Jn. – Salur, Simhachalam North – Duvvada bypass, Vadalapudi – Duvvada and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant – Jaggayapalem (around 410km), will be retained as Waltair division under new South Coast Railway."
“It would be renamed as Visakhapatnam division because the Waltair name is a colonial legacy that needs to be changed,” Vaishnav said.
The other part of the Waltair division, comprising approximately the sections between stations Kothavalasa – Bacheli, Kuneru – Theruvali Jn, Singapur Rd – Koraput Jn and Paralakhemundi – Gunupur (around 680km), will be converted into a new division with head-quarter at Rayagada under East Coast Railway.
