Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and state BJP president PVN Madhav on Monday welcomed the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, describing it as a landmark development for the state and a long-awaited aspiration of its people.
The South Coast Railway Zone, with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters, officially commenced operations, becoming the 18th zone of Indian Railways.
In a post on X, Pawan Kalyan said the launch of the new railway zone marked a significant step towards improving connectivity, operational efficiency and economic growth in Andhra Pradesh
“We heartily welcome the South Coast Railway Zone which begins its operations from Visakhapatnam today, marking a significant step towards enhanced connectivity, greater efficiency, and accelerated growth for Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the new zone would strengthen rail infrastructure across the state, improve regional connectivity and contribute to balanced development in all regions of Andhra Pradesh.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Kalyan said the establishment of the railway zone had fulfilled a long-cherished aspiration of the people of the state and represented a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh.
State BJP president PVN Madhav also hailed the development, saying the long-standing demand of the people of North Coastal Andhra had finally been realised with the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway Zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam.
“Today is not merely an administrative milestone; it is the culmination of a people’s movement that began in the 1980s and continued for over four decades,” Madhav said in a post on X.
Recalling his involvement in student-led agitations for a separate railway zone, he said BJP workers, public representatives, railway employees’ associations and various organisations had consistently campaigned for the demand through protests, awareness drives and public movements.
Madhav noted that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act had only provided for examining the feasibility of establishing a railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters. He said the efforts eventually culminated in the announcement of the South Coast Railway Zone in 2019.
Calling its operationalisation a moment of “immense pride, satisfaction and gratitude”, Madhav said the new zone would boost railway logistics, freight movement, industrial connectivity, employment opportunities and passenger services.
He added that the South Coast Railway Zone would act as a catalyst for the economic development of North Coastal Andhra and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s contribution to India’s growth.
Madhav also thanked Prime Minister Modi, Railway Minister Vaishnaw, BJP leaders and representatives from various political parties for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
(With inputs from IANS)
