South Coast Railway Zone Begins Operations, Marking Historic Milestone for AP

In a landmark development for Andhra Pradesh, the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) officially commenced operations on June 1, marking the realization of a long-pending demand that has remained at the heart of the state's political and developmental discourse for decades. Headquartered in Visakhapatnam , the new railway zone is expected to strengthen connectivity, boost freight movement, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth across the state, particularly in the north coastal region.

Welcoming the development, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the launch as a " historic milestone " and the fulfilment of a dream cherished by generations of Andhra Pradesh residents. He said the new zone would transform the transportation landscape of North Andhra , open up new employment opportunities, and support the state's vision of emerging as a major logistics and industrial hub .

The operationalisation follows a recent gazette notification issued by the Railway Ministry outlining the jurisdiction and organisational structure of the zone. With its launch, SCoR becomes the 18th railway zone of Indian Railways , bringing railway administration closer to Andhra Pradesh and enabling more region-focused planning and execution.

The demand for a Visakhapatnam-based railway zone gained momentum after the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 , which followed the bifurcation of the state. Though the Centre announced the formation of the zone in 2019, administrative and structural delays prolonged its implementation, making it a symbol of Andhra Pradesh's post-bifurcation aspirations.

Experts point out that new railway zones are often as much about regional aspirations and political symbolism as they are about transport efficiency. For many in Andhra Pradesh, the launch represents not just an administrative restructuring but long-awaited institutional recognition and a stronger developmental presence in the region.

Under the new arrangement, the zone will oversee the Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal, and Visakhapatnam divisions , improving passenger services, freight operations, and port connectivity. The railway zone is also expected to support cargo movement linked to key ports including Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada , and the upcoming Mulapeta Port .

Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for fulfilling a long-standing commitment to Andhra Pradesh. Leaders across party lines hailed the development, describing it as a transformative step that combines infrastructure growth, economic opportunity, and regional pride.

As Andhra Pradesh seeks to position itself as a major gateway for trade and logistics on India's eastern coast, the launch of the South Coast Railway Zone is being viewed as both a strategic economic initiative and a powerful symbol of the state's evolving aspirations.