Visakhapatnam Youth Demand Railway Recruitment Board for Fair Employment
With the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway headquarters gaining momentum, local youth are calling for a Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) in Visakhapatnam. Advocates say a local RRB is necessary to provide fair employment opportunities for North Andhra, a region that has long faced recruitment challenges under the East Coast Railway (ECoR).
For years, candidates from North Andhra have reported bias in railway recruitment. Many clear written and technical exams but are eliminated at the interview stage. Candidates traveling to Bhubaneswar for recruitment tests have faced harassment, and some have even experienced physical assault, forcing them to abandon their railway job aspirations.
“I have cleared multiple rounds, yet I am always rejected in the final interview. It feels like candidates from our region are deliberately sidelined,” says Y Krishnaveni, an engineering graduate from Visakhapatnam. “We travel long distances and spend our hard-earned money, only to face discrimination.”
Analysts note that while creating an independent railway zone is a positive step, structural reforms such as establishing a local RRB are necessary to ensure equitable recruitment. Without it, local candidates remain at a disadvantage, perpetuating long-standing grievances.
“Every railway zone in India has its own recruitment board to ensure local representation in employment. Why should Visakhapatnam be an exception?” asks Dr. K. Ramesh, a labor economist. “An RRB here would provide fairer opportunities and prevent the marginalisation of North Andhra job seekers.”
Visakhapatnam, traditionally known for peace and harmony, risks unrest if employment disparities persist. Aspirants stress that their demand is for justice, not agitation.
“We don’t want agitation, we just want justice,” says Swathi, another local aspirant. “How long must we wait to be treated fairly?”
The push for a Railway Recruitment Board in Visakhapatnam is about more than jobs. It represents fairness, regional equity, and long-overdue justice for the youth of North Andhra.