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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday laid the muse stone for the headquarters of the South Coast Railway, paving the best way to meet the longstanding demand for a separate 18th zone of Indian Railways, particularly after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The headquarters can be constructed at a price of Rs 149 crore.
“For a very long time, there was a requirement for a separate railway zone. Right this moment this dream is coming true. After the development of the headquarters of the South Coast Railway zone, actions associated to agriculture and commerce will develop on this whole space. Other than this, the tourism sector and native financial system will even get new alternatives for progress,” mentioned Modi on the Andhra College floor.
He mentioned Andhra Pradesh is amongst these states the place 100% electrification has been achieved in Railways. “Greater than seventy railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are being developed underneath the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Seven Vande Bharat trains and Amrit Bharat trains are additionally being run for ease of journey of the individuals of Andhra Pradesh,” mentioned the PM.
The South Coast Railway has been carved out from elements of the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway zones. Introduced on February 27, 2019, the zone was created to enhance operational effectivity and supply centered service to the rising passenger and freight calls for within the area. It is going to be one of many strategic hubs for operations in Andhra Pradesh.
The zone covers a good portion of Andhra Pradesh, together with elements of Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Its key divisions embody Vijayawada Division (from South Central Railway), Guntur Division (from South Central Railway) and elements of Waltair Division (from East Coast Railway), that’s Visakhapatnam.
Railways officers mentioned that the brand new zone will strengthen the freight corridors for dealing with cargo from Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam ports.
“It’ll help industrial and agricultural development within the area. Together with this, it can improve logistics for main ports like Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam. The zone will enhance tourism to Tirupati and different cultural landmarks in Andhra Pradesh,” mentioned a senior railway official.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has opposed the transfer and mentioned that the carving out of the revenue-generating a part of East Coast Railway, which is headquartered in Bhubaneswar, could have financial repercussions for the state.
Railways officers mentioned that until the completion of the headquarters and appointment of the workers, Visakhapatnam shall stay within the East Coast Railway.
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