The newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR) officially began operations from its headquarters in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The beginning of operations of the 18th railway zone in Visakhapatnam marks the realisation of a long-standing demand for the people of Andhra Pradesh, positioning the coastal city as a vital administrative hub for the Indian Railways.

A focus on efficiency

SCoR General Manager Sandeep Mathur stated that the railway zone was established to bolster administrative efficiency, streamline operational effectiveness, and elevate passenger and freight services. “The creation of a new zone is a rare event in the history of Indian Railways,” Mr. Mathur said, after he unveiled the new system map at the temporary office building at The DECK in Siripuram junction, Visakhapatnam.

“It signifies a renewed commitment to infrastructure growth and regional economic development, serving as a catalyst for prosperity across the State and beyond,” he added.

Safety as cornerstone

Following the inauguration, Mr. Mathur convened a high-level safety review meeting, reinforcing that safety will remain the zone’s absolute priority. The meeting brought together key leadership, including Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) from the Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions.

Discussions centered on rigorous safety protocols, including infrastructure maintenance, comprehensive safety audits, and enhanced crew counselling. Mr. Mathur directed all departments to maintain strict coordination, ensuring that operational expansion is balanced with the highest standards of safety for all train operations.

Strengthening connectivity

The SCoR will oversee a network of approximately 3,532 route kilometres, serving 385 stations. With a projected annual freight volume of 100 million tonnes and a workforce of over 62,000 employees, the zone is poised to become a high-performance entity.

The commencement of the SCoR has been met with widespread celebration across the region.

Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat hailed the milestone, stating that the long-standing promise has finally become a reality. He expressed confidence that the zone, in tandem with infrastructure projects like the Bhogapuram international airport, would provide major momentum to tourism, IT, and industrial growth.

Railway Zone Sadhana Samithi convener Chalasani Gandhi termed the event the “culmination of a 40-year struggle”, praising the persistent efforts of civil society, activists, and political leaders. Mr. Gandhi noted that the new zone would significantly improve logistics efficiency through better proximity to local ports and boost regional employment.

CPI State secretariat member J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy described the launch as a “collective triumph” of political parties, civil society, and public organisations. Reflecting on the “relentless 40-year struggle” of the people of North Andhra region, he emphasised that the achievement belongs to the region’s collective resolve and urged for continued focus on ensuring the zone’s benefits reach the grassroots level.