Tenders Issued for New Railway Zone Office in Vizag.

The Indian Railways has taken a major step towards operationalising the new South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone in Andhra Pradesh by issuing tenders for the construction of the General Manager’s office complex in Visakhapatnam. With an estimated investment of Rs. 149 crore, the office complex will be built on a 50-acre plot of land near Mudasarlova in Visakhapatnam.

Although the SCoR zone was first announced in 2019, its implementation was delayed due to challenges, including the previous Andhra Pradesh government’s failure to provide the necessary land. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously pointed to these land acquisition issues as the cause of the delays. The new zone's headquarters will be located in Visakhapatnam, which is part of the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

For several decades, there has been a demand for the establishment of a dedicated railway zone in Andhra Pradesh, in line with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, which promised a new railway zone for the state. The zone will consist of the Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions, along with part of the Waltair division.

The Waltair division of ECoR is a significant revenue generator, contributing over Rs 10,000 crore in revenue in the 2023-24 fiscal year, nearly 50% of the total revenue for the East Coast Railway. This strong financial foundation underscores the economic importance of the Waltair division and supports the establishment of the new zone.

Visakhapatnam, as the proposed headquarters for the SCoR, offers strategic advantages with its proximity to major ports like Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, and Krishnapatnam, all vital for cargo and trade. The city also boasts a large land bank for future development, including the largest locomotive shed and an advanced coach maintenance depot, further cementing its role as a key railway hub.

The city’s rapid growth and its status as one of Asia's fastest-growing urban centres, along with its infrastructure support for the Eastern Naval Command, BHEL, HPCL, and other key industries, positions Visakhapatnam to benefit greatly from the new railway zone.

Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the need for a dedicated railway zone in the state became evident, as the headquarters of the South Central Railway is currently located in Secunderabad, Telangana. The creation of the new zone will address this gap and strengthen Andhra Pradesh's railway infrastructure.

ET