South Coast Railway: Indian Railways launches 18th zone in Visakhapatnam, check benefits
Indian Railways has officially started the operations of the 18th railway zone, South Coast Railway (SCoR), from June 1, 2026. The new zone is headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This move aims to improve railway management and provide better services to passengers in the region.
What are the key features of South Coast Railway?
The SCoR zone covers a rail network of 3,532 kilometers with 6,454 kilometers of track and 385 stations. It spans across Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The zone will be managed by General Manager Sandeep Mathur and will employ around 17,000 staff, with a total workforce of 62,000 across its divisions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Visakhapatnam (Temporary: VMRDA The Deck, Permanent: Mudasarlova) |
| Divisions | Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam |
| Operational Capacity | 500+ Passenger trains and 800+ Freight trains during peak hours |
| Annual Freight | Estimated 100 Million Tonnes |
| Budget Allocation | Andhra Pradesh received ₹10,134 crore railway budget |
How will this new zone benefit the passengers?
The creation of SCoR will lead to faster decision-making and better administrative coordination. Passengers can expect more new trains and quicker development of railway stations. It will also boost industrial and agricultural growth by improving freight movement to major ports like Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada, and the upcoming Mulapeta port.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the headquarters of South Coast Railway located?
The headquarters is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is currently operating from VMRDA’s ‘The Deck’ building while a permanent 12-story structure is being built in Mudasarlova.
Which divisions are included under the SCoR zone?
The zone includes Vijayawada, Guntakal, and Guntur divisions, along with the newly formed Visakhapatnam division.