South Coast Railway zone begins operations from Visakhapatnam

The South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone officially began operations from Visakhapatnam on Monday (June 1), marking the launch of India’s 18th railway zone after decades of political and administrative efforts.

Officials said the new railway zone will have its headquarters in Visakhapatnam and is expected to strengthen railway administration and infrastructure planning across Andhra Pradesh.

The zone brings the Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal divisions under its jurisdiction following reorganisation of railway administrative boundaries.

Authorities indicated that the new structure is aimed at improving operational efficiency, project implementation and passenger services, reported The Times of India.

The formation of the South Coast Railway zone had remained a long-standing demand in Andhra Pradesh following the state’s bifurcation.

Railway officials said preparatory work involving staff allocation, jurisdiction mapping and administrative restructuring had been completed ahead of the launch.

The project is expected to play an important role in future railway infrastructure expansion and connectivity planning in the region.

Officials indicated that further infrastructure and operational development would be undertaken in phases.

The development marks one of the most significant railway-administration reforms in Andhra Pradesh in recent years.