Indian Railways is introducing a major administrative change with the creation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone. This new zone will start its official operations from June 1, 2026, with its headquarters located in Visakhapatnam. The move aims to strengthen railway administration and improve connectivity in Andhra Pradesh.
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Which divisions will move to the new South Coast Railway zone?
The new zone will take over several existing divisions to streamline operations. The Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions will be transferred from the South Coast Railway (SCR) to the new SCoR zone. Additionally, the Waltair division has been split, with one part becoming the new Raigada division under ECoR and the other part forming the Visakhapatnam division under SCoR.
What are the key details of the new railway zone?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Start Date | June 1, 2026 |
| Headquarters | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Zone Number | 18th Railway Zone |
| Logo Change | 18 red stars added to Indian Railways logo |
| Land Area | 52.2 acres provided by AP Government |
| Budget Allocation | Rs 10,134 crore for AP railway projects |
How will this change affect employees and administration?
The Railway Board is currently working to ensure a smooth transition for the staff. There have been discussions regarding delays in employee transfers and NOC requests, which the board urged to be completed by the end of May 2026 to avoid workforce shortages. Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnav stated that this development will help in better administration and create new employment opportunities in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What will happen to the South Central Railway (SCR) after this change?
The SCR will transfer the Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions to the new zone, leaving SCR with three divisions: Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Nanded.
When was the South Coast Railway zone first announced?
The formation of this zone was first announced in the 2019 Budget and received retrospective approval from the Union Cabinet on February 7, 2025.