South Coast Railway: New railway zone to start operations from June 1 2026 in Andhra Pradesh
Indian Railways will start the South Coast Railway (SCoR) as the 18th railway zone of the country from June 1, 2026. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this during an event in Visakhapatnam on April 28, 2026. This new zone will help in better administration and faster development of railway services in Andhra Pradesh.
What are the key details of South Coast Railway
The headquarters of the South Coast Railway will be located in Visakhapatnam. This zone is created by taking parts from the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway. It will manage divisions including Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal, and Visakhapatnam. A permanent headquarters is being built at Mudasarlova on 52.2 acres of land.
What is the investment and infrastructure plan
The government has allocated a record budget of ₹10,134 crore for Andhra Pradesh, with total ongoing projects worth ₹1.06 lakh crore. The state has already achieved 100% electrification of its railway network. The following infrastructure updates are planned:
| Project Type | Details/Target |
|---|---|
| Station Modernization | 74 stations |
| Flyovers/Underpasses | 832 total |
| New Railway Lines | 1,039 KM |
| Vande Bharat Trains | 16 services |
| Amrit Bharat Trains | 22 services |
What are the future Bullet Train plans
The railway ministry shared plans for high-speed rail corridors to reduce travel time significantly. A bullet train between Amaravati and Hyderabad will take only 70 minutes. Similarly, the travel time between Amaravati and Chennai will be reduced to 112 minutes. Additionally, the Kolkata to Chennai double-line corridor will be upgraded to a four-line system to handle 500 new trains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the South Coast Railway become operational?
The South Coast Railway (SCoR) will officially start its operations from June 1, 2026, as India’s 18th railway zone.
Where will the headquarters of the new zone be located?
The headquarters will be in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with a permanent facility being constructed at Mudasarlova.
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