South Coast Railway Zone to Launch Full Operations from Visakhapatnam in April
The long-awaited South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone is set to commence its full-fledged operations from its new premises in Visakhapatnam starting April, marking a significant reorganization of India's railway network. Railway officials have received indications about this development, which comes after years of anticipation since the zone was first announced by the Railway Board in 2019. Despite the announcement six years ago, the zone had been pending a gazette notification, but recent information suggests that operations will begin on April 1.
Reorganization of Divisions and Staff
The new SCoR zone will incorporate several divisions from the South Central Railway (SCR), including Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal. Additionally, the Visakhapatnam Division, formed from a portion of the old Waltair Division, will be part of SCoR, covering sections from Vizag to Palasa. Meanwhile, some lines from the Waltair Division will merge into the newly formed Rayagada Division of the East Coast Railway. This restructuring will leave SCR with only three divisions: Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Nanded.
As a result, SCR's route length will shrink dramatically from 6,532 km to approximately 3,044 km, representing a loss of nearly half its network and significant revenue-generating freight lines. A large number of staff from SCR's headquarters in Secunderabad are expected to be transferred to the South Coast Railway Zone in Visakhapatnam, aligning with the operational shift.
Infrastructure and Operations
The temporary zonal office will commence operations in a month within the newly constructed 'The Deck' of the VMRDA, featuring two floors. The General Manager's office will occupy 41,500 square feet, alongside heads of various departments. This setup will include 30 officers and over 700 employees. Eventually, the GM office will relocate to a permanent building under construction in the Mudasarlova area.
The new zone will boast a substantial infrastructure, with route lengths including 956 km from Vijayawada division, 1,452 km from Guntakal, and 630 km from Guntur, totaling significant running tracks. Notably, a 680 km section from the Waltair Division, including the key freight line Kothavalasa-Kirandul and Araku, will merge into the Rayagada Division, leaving the Visakhapatnam division with 450 km of route.
Operationally, SCoR will manage more than 500 trains during peak seasons, supported by facilities such as a passenger coach care depot in Visakhapatnam, and maintenance depots in locations like Kakinada, Narsapur, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Nallapadu, Guntur, Tirupati, and Gooty. It will also feature electric loco sheds in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, diesel loco sheds in Guntakal, Gooty, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada, and electric loco trip sheds in Guntakal and Renigunta.
Government Support and Future Outlook
During the recent central government budget session, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that his department is fast-tracking work on the new zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam. The zone will employ 17,000 staff across 18 departments, including construction, operations, mechanical, commercial, chief engineer, medical, finance, personal maintenance, and electrical services.
While Railway Authorities in Visakhapatnam have acknowledged the news, official confirmation from higher-ups is still pending. This development represents a major step in enhancing railway efficiency and connectivity along India's southern coast, with the South Coast Railway poised to become a key player in the nation's transport infrastructure.
