South Coast Railway Zone Becomes Reality: Palla Srinivasa Rao
Visakhapatnam, May 31: Describing June 1 as a landmark date that will find a permanent place in the annals of Telugu history, TDP State President and Gajuwaka MLA, Palla Srinivasa Rao, said the formal commencement of the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR), headquartered in Visakhapatnam, represents the culmination of decades of public struggle, generational aspirations, and the collective determination of the people of North Andhra.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the achievement transcended political boundaries and individual leadership, describing it as a victory belonging to every Telugu-speaking citizen who had stood behind the long-standing demand for a dedicated railway zone for the region.
Reflecting on the prolonged movement that eventually led to the creation of the zone, he said generations of students, youth organisations, civil society groups, and political leaders had united in demanding justice for North Andhra, which had for decades perceived itself as being deprived of its due share of infrastructure and institutional investments.
A Generational Struggle Finds Fulfilment
Mr. Srinivasa Rao noted that the South Coast Railway Zone stands as a rare example of one generation initiating a movement and another bringing it to fruition. He recalled the contributions of several leaders and activists who relentlessly championed the cause over the years.
He observed that the movement spearheaded by the late Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu had now reached its logical conclusion during the tenure of his son, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. Similarly, he said the efforts of veteran leader M.S. Murthy had found vindication at a time when his grandson, M. Sribharat, serves as the Member of Parliament from Visakhapatnam.
He also acknowledged the contributions of veteran public representatives, activists, and campaigners, including Prathimashetty Appala Narasimham, whose sustained efforts helped keep the demand alive over several decades.
Outcome of a Three-Decade TDP Campaign
The TDP leader described the establishment of the railway zone as the culmination of a sustained three-decade campaign pursued by the Telugu Desam Party both inside Parliament and through public movements. He said the official operationalisation of the zone from June 1 marked the fulfilment of a long-cherished aspiration of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Chandrababu Naidu’s Persistence and Centre’s Support
Mr. Srinivasa Rao credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with playing a pivotal role in ensuring the implementation of the commitment contained in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. According to him, the Chief Minister consistently pursued the issue with the Union Government and kept the demand alive through sustained engagement.
He further acknowledged the support extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, and Railway Standing Committee Chairman C. M. Ramesh for their contributions to the successful realisation of the project.
He also welcomed Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s recent announcement that a future bullet train project centred on Visakhapatnam was under consideration, describing it as a development that could further accelerate the economic transformation of North Andhra. On behalf of the people of the region, he expressed special gratitude to Mr. Vaishnaw for facilitating and expediting the process leading to the operationalisation of the railway zone.
Criticism of Previous Government
Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that despite the railway zone having been announced in 2019, the previous YSRCP government failed to address critical issues such as land acquisition and institutional preparedness, resulting in prolonged delays. He contended that the project remained largely on paper during that period.
He said the coalition government, after assuming office, moved swiftly to resolve pending bottlenecks and create the conditions necessary for the zone to become operational.
New Impetus for North Andhra’s Development
Highlighting the strategic significance of the new zone, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the region had long depended on Bhubaneswar even for resolving routine railway-related matters. This, he noted, often led to delays in decision-making concerning employment, infrastructure projects, and passenger services.
With the zonal headquarters now located in Visakhapatnam, he said local priorities would receive greater attention and administrative decisions could be taken more swiftly. He expressed confidence that railway overbridges, underbridges, track expansion works, station modernisation initiatives, and the introduction of new train services would gather momentum under the new administrative framework.
The possibility of establishing a Railway Recruitment Board in the region, he added, could significantly expand employment opportunities for local youth.
Strategic Boost for Ports and Industry
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the South Coast Railway Zone would serve as a major catalyst for the growth of Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, industrial corridors, and emerging manufacturing clusters across the region.
Improved rail connectivity and streamlined freight operations, he observed, would reduce logistics costs, enhance industrial competitiveness, and facilitate faster movement of exports and imports. Industrial centres such as Gajuwaka, Achyutapuram, Nakkapalli, and the broader Visakhapatnam region are expected to benefit substantially from the enhanced railway ecosystem, he said.
A Celebration for Every Telugu Citizen
Mr. Srinivasa Rao described the emergence of the South Coast Railway Zone as a matter of immense pride for Andhra Pradesh. As the country’s 18th railway zone, covering nearly 4,000 kilometres and encompassing approximately 99 per cent of the State’s railway network, it represents far more than an administrative reorganisation, he said.
Calling it a symbol of North Andhra’s self-respect and a testament to the power of sustained democratic movements, he urged people across the State to celebrate June 1 as a day of collective achievement. He appealed to citizens to mark the occasion in every constituency, village, and railway station by sharing sweets and commemorating what he termed a historic victory for the people.
“The South Coast Railway Zone stands as living proof that sincere and persistent public struggles eventually yield results,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said, adding that June 1 would remain etched in the collective memory of Telugu people as a day when a decades-old aspiration finally became reality.