Operationalisation of South Coast Railway Zone a major boost for Andhra Pradesh, says MP Sribharat
Welcoming the commencement of operations of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament (MP) M. Sribharat on Monday termed it a landmark development for Andhra Pradesh and said it would accelerate infrastructure growth and economic activity in the north coastal region.
In a message posted on social media during his official visit to Oslo, Norway, Sribharat said the operationalisation of the railway zone fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the people of the state and marked an important milestone in strengthening Visakhapatnam’s role in the national railway network.
Congratulating the Ministry of Railways, the Railway Board, and railway employees for making the project a reality, the MP said the new zone would improve administrative efficiency and facilitate faster execution of railway infrastructure projects across Andhra Pradesh.
“The commencement of the South Coast Railway Zone will help decentralise railway administration, improve passenger services, and strengthen freight transportation capabilities,” he said, adding that it would also contribute significantly to regional economic growth.
According to Sribharat, the Visakhapatnam-headquartered zone has the potential to emerge as a catalyst for balanced regional development by supporting industrial expansion, trade and commerce, and employment generation.
The MP urged railway officials and staff to work collectively towards making the South Coast Railway Zone one of the country’s best-performing railway zones, while ensuring efficient, citizen-centric services.
Describing the development as a reflection of the Centre’s commitment to Andhra Pradesh, Sribharat said he was pleased that the long-pending demand for a separate railway zone had materialised during his tenure as Member of Parliament.
He further said that the new zone would provide an additional impetus to the growth of Visakhapatnam — one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres — and further strengthen its position as a key economic and industrial hub in the region.