AMARAVATI, May 5: BJP Andhra Pradesh State president P.V.N. Madhav on Monday welcomed the Central Government's decision to establish a new railway zone — the South Coast Railway — describing it as a historic administrative reform that would significantly benefit the State.

Notified through an official gazette under the Railways Act, 1989, the new zone is set to come into effect from June 1, 2026. The decision to locate its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, Mr. Madhav said, accorded special prominence to Andhra Pradesh and laid the groundwork for the port city to emerge as a major railway hub.

Restructured from existing zones

The South Coast Railway will be carved out of select divisions of the existing East Coast Railway and South Central Railway zones. The Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions, presently under South Central Railway, will be merged into the new zone. Simultaneously, the Waltair Division under East Coast Railway will be bifurcated — one portion rechristened as the Visakhapatnam Division and absorbed into the South Coast Railway, while the remaining portion will continue under East Coast Railway as the newly designated Rayagada Division.

Mr. Madhav noted that the Rayagada Division would cover routes including Koraput–Singapore Road, Kottavalasa–Kirandul, Kuneru–Theruvali, and Gunupur–Paralakhemundi. The Visakhapatnam Division, on the other hand, would extend from Ichhapuram to Duvvada, along with associated branch lines, substantially expanding rail connectivity in the region.

Operational clarity and coordination

The transfer of the Palasa–Ichhapuram section, currently under the Khurda Road Division, to the Visakhapatnam Division was also cited as a step that would improve operational coordination. The realignment of boundaries among the Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and Secunderabad divisions would, he added, bring greater administrative clarity to railway operations across the region.

Mr. Madhav expressed confidence that the reorganisation would enhance the efficiency, speed, and quality of rail services, and open up new avenues of development for Andhra Pradesh.

Conveying his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the decision, Mr. Madhav said it represented a significant milestone in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the State.