Visakhapatnam Railway Station Celebrates 130 Years of Historic Legacy

Visakhapatnam Railway Station, one of Andhra Pradesh’s prominent railway hubs, has completed 130 years of its historic journey, tracing its transformation from a modest colonial-era station into a major transportation hub on India’s eastern coast. Established in 1896 with just two platforms and around 200 passengers a day, the station has grown substantially and now serves more than 65,000 passengers daily across eight platforms.

The milestone was commemorated with a grand cultural programme titled ‘Station Mahotsav’ on Monday. The celebrations were organised as part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Railways to recognise the historical importance and heritage of key railway stations across the country. The event also reflected on the station’s evolution from the erstwhile Waltair era to its present role as a busy and rapidly developing transit hub.

The celebrations opened with a flag march, followed by exhibitions showcasing the station’s rich railway heritage. A historical photograph exhibition featured rare images documenting the development of the Waltair Railway Division and Visakhapatnam station over the decades. Visitors were also given an opportunity to view vintage railway artefacts and memorabilia associated with different stages of the station’s development.

The exhibits offered a glimpse into the changing face of railway infrastructure in the region and highlighted several important milestones achieved during the station’s 130-year history. The programme sought to connect the station’s present-day significance with the generations of railway employees and passengers who have been part of its long journey.

A special coffee-table book titled ‘Waltair Visakhapatnam’ was unveiled during the celebrations. The publication documents more than a century of transformation, covering the region’s railway heritage, historic structures and the progress of railway infrastructure.

South Coast Railway General Manager Sandeep Mathur said railway heritage forms an important part of the collective identity of the community and represents the contribution of generations of railway employees. He said the station’s history stands as a reflection of their sustained efforts over the decades.

The celebrations also looked towards the station’s future. Mathur said Visakhapatnam Railway Station is being expanded to 14 platforms and equipped with modern facilities, seamless connectivity and environmentally sustainable infrastructure. The ongoing development is aimed at creating a world-class, next-generation mobility centre while preserving the station’s historic legacy.