Visakhapatnam: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the gazette notification for the creation of the South Coastal Railway (SCoR) Zone will be issued, with June 1 of this year as the effective date. This development marks a significant step towards strengthening railway administration in Andhra Pradesh.
Record Budget and Electrification
Vaishnaw stated that Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network, positioning it among the leading regions in railway modernisation. Addressing the gathering after the groundbreaking ceremony of Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, he explained that the state has received a record railway budget allocation of Rs 10,134 crore, a substantial increase compared to the Rs 886 crore allocated in earlier years for the combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Ongoing Projects Worth Rs 1.06 Lakh Crore
The minister revealed that railway projects worth approximately Rs 1,06,000 crore are currently underway in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at enhancing connectivity across the state, including links to ports, tourism destinations, and major cities. He highlighted that 74 railway stations in AP are being reconstructed and fully redeveloped, describing it as a historic accomplishment. Additionally, 832 flyovers and underpasses have been completed, 299 are under construction, 1,759 km of railway track has been completed, and 3,300 km of track is under construction.
Passenger Services and Capacity Expansion
Vaishnaw mentioned that 16 Vande Bharat trains and 22 Amrit Bharat train services currently serve the state, improving travel efficiency and comfort. Furthermore, the entire East Coast Railway Corridor is being upgraded to a four-line network, which is expected to double capacity and enable the operation of up to 500 new trains.
Freight and High-Speed Connectivity
The minister emphasised that cargo and container train services are being strengthened to connect ports, tourism centres, and major cities along the East Coast Corridor, thereby boosting logistics and economic growth. Addressing future high-speed connectivity, he elaborated on the proposed high-speed network across major Southern Corridors. Travel times would be significantly reduced: only 70 minutes from Amaravati to Hyderabad, 112 minutes from Amaravati to Chennai, one hour 55 minutes from Hyderabad to Pune, two hours eight minutes from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, 48 minutes from Pune to Mumbai, and 73 minutes from Chennai to Bengaluru. Vaishnaw described this network as a 'High-Speed Diamond', which will enhance mobility, economic integration, and regional growth across southern India.
The minister said that these initiatives reflect the Union government's commitment to transform Andhra Pradesh into a major railway and logistics hub, driving economic growth and regional integration.
