South Coast Railway Zone Launches Operations in Visakhapatnam, India
The South Coast Railway (SCoR), India's 18th railway zone, officially began operations on June 1, 2026, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Covering 3,532 km across four divisions (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal), it employs over 62,000 people and handles 100 million tonnes of freight annually. The zone fulfills a four-decade demand, aims to boost regional economic growth, improve rail infrastructure, and enhance port connectivity. A permanent headquarters is under construction.
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South Coast Railway Launches Operations in Visakhapatnam; GM Unveils System Map
The newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR) officially began operations from its headquarters in Visakhapatnam on June 1, 2026, marking the realization of a long-standing demand for Andhra Pradesh. General Manager Sandeep Mathur unveiled the zone's system map at a temporary office, emphasizing that the 18th railway zone aims to bolster administrative efficiency, streamline operations, and enhance passenger and freight services. Following the launch, Mathur chaired a high-level safety review meeting with DRMs from four divisions, focusing on infrastructure maintenance, safety audits, and crew counseling. SCoR will oversee approximately 3,532 route kilometers, 385 stations, and a workforce of over 62,000 employees, with projected annual freight volume of 100 million tonnes. Local leaders, including MP M. Sribharat and activists, celebrated the milestone as the culmination of a 40-year struggle, expressing confidence that the zone will boost tourism, IT, industrial growth, and regional employment.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Civil Aviation Minister launches South Coast Railway zone operations in Srikakulam
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu officially launched the administrative operations of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, India's 18th railway zone, at a ceremony near Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, on June 1, 2026. The zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, fulfills a four-decade-long demand for a separate railway zone for the region. Naidu recalled his personal involvement in the movement, including participating in protests and a hunger strike, and paid tribute to his late father Yerran Naidu for his decade-long efforts. The SCoR, headed by General Manager Sandeep Mathur, oversees 3,532 route kilometers, manages over 62,000 employees, and comprises four divisions: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal. The zone is expected to accelerate decision-making, improve infrastructure, and boost economic development in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.South Coast Railway Zone a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh, says BJP State president
Andhra Pradesh BJP president P. V. N. Madhav hailed the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, as a historic milestone for the state. Speaking in New Delhi at BJP National Office Bearers meetings, Madhav said the new zone fulfills a long-standing demand that gained prominence after Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the commitment. The zone comprises the Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal railway divisions, which Madhav said will enhance administrative efficiency and expedite railway infrastructure development. He noted it will facilitate new railway lines, track-doubling, freight corridors, and future high-speed rail projects. The zone is expected to strengthen Visakhapatnam's role as a logistics and industrial hub by improving port connectivity and freight movement, benefiting assets like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Gangavaram Port, and supporting industrial corridors and export-import activity.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.South Coast Railway zone in Visakhapatnam goes operational under GM Sandeep Mathur
The South Coast Railway (SCoR), India's 18th railway zone, becomes fully operational from June 1, 2026, headquartered in Visakhapatnam. General Manager Sandeep Mathur leads the zone, which was constituted following a Ministry of Railways gazette notification on May 4, 2026. The zone comprises four divisions: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntakal, and Guntur, covering rail networks across Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Key principal officers include Vineet Kumar (operations), T.K. Sinha (electrical), B.S.K. Raj Kumar (engineering), and others. The zone will manage approximately 17,000 employees and handle substantial freight and passenger traffic. Operations are temporarily based at the VMRDA iconic building 'The Deck' in Siripuram, while a permanent headquarters is under construction at Mudasarlova, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in January 2025.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.South Coast Railway Zone to Begin Operations from Visakhapatnam on June 1
The South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, will officially commence operations on June 1, 2026, as announced by BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav. Established as India's 18th railway zone, it will cover a 3,532 km rail network across four divisions (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal) and 385 stations, employing approximately 62,000 people. The zone is projected to handle 100 million tonnes of freight annually and generate combined passenger and freight revenue of around ₹15,500 crore. Initially operating from the VMRDA iconic building 'The Deck', a permanent 12-storey headquarters shaped like a cruise ship is under construction at Mudasarlova at a cost of ₹183 crore. The zone spans Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and is expected to boost railway infrastructure, introduce new trains, and drive regional economic growth.
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