Amaravati, June 1: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has hailed the inauguration of the South Coast Railway Zone as a historic milestone for the state. He stated that this development fulfills a long-standing dream of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister announced that the South Coast Railway Zone, centered in Visakhapatnam, will officially commence operations on June 1, 2026. He emphasized that this is not merely an administrative change but a significant step towards transforming the transportation infrastructure in North Andhra.
Naidu noted that the new railway zone will create fresh employment opportunities in the region and accelerate industrial growth. He believes this initiative will play a crucial role in positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leading logistics hub in the country.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He acknowledged their efforts in addressing the long-standing demand of the state’s residents.
It is noteworthy that the central government issued a gazette notification earlier this month, formally approving the establishment of the South Coast Railway Zone. Its headquarters will be located in Visakhapatnam and will take effect from June 1, 2026.
The new railway zone will encompass the Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam divisions. This restructuring involves segments of the South Central Railway and East Coast Railway. The Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions have been separated from the South Central Railway to form the new zone, while the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway has been renamed Visakhapatnam division following its reorganization.
This railway zone was part of the key promises made to the state during the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. The announcement was first made in 2019. However, the administrative process accelerated after the NDA government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, came to power in 2024. In January 2025, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the railway zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam.
Now, with the official launch set for June 1, 2026, there are high hopes for renewed momentum in the state’s development.
Leave a Comment