SCoR General Manager Sandeep Mathur inaugurated the zone by unveiling the new system map at the temporary office located at The DECK, Siripuram junction. He highlighted that the creation of the new zone is a rare event in Indian Railways history and is aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency, operational effectiveness, and improving passenger and freight services. According to Mr. Mathur, the launch represents a renewed commitment to infrastructure growth and regional economic development, which is expected to drive prosperity across Andhra Pradesh and beyond.
Following the inauguration, GM Mathur held a high-level safety review meeting emphasizing safety as the zone’s top priority. The meeting included Divisional Railway Managers from Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions. Discussions focused on stringent safety protocols such as infrastructure maintenance, comprehensive safety audits, and crew counselling, with directives for strict departmental coordination to ensure safe expansion of operations.
The South Coast Railway zone manages approximately 3,532 route kilometres and serves 385 stations. It projects an annual freight volume of 100 million tonnes and employs over 62,000 staff, positioning it as a high-performance zone.
The launch has been widely celebrated in the region. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat expressed optimism that this development, alongside projects like the Bhogapuram international airport, will significantly boost tourism, IT, and industrial growth.
Railway Zone Sadhana Samithi convener Chalasani Gandhi called the inauguration the culmination of a 40-year struggle, acknowledging the efforts of civil society, activists, and political leaders. He emphasized that the zone would enhance logistics efficiency by improving connectivity to local ports and increase regional employment.
CPI State secretariat member J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy described the launch as a collective victory for political parties, civil society, and public organizations, crediting the decades-long perseverance of the North Andhra region. He urged ongoing efforts to ensure the new zone’s benefits reach grassroots levels.
The South Coast Railway’s launch represents a transformative step forward in the region’s rail infrastructure and economic expansion.
