Journalism of Courage
South Coast Railway zone operational from today: How divisions, routes and train operations will change
Indian Railways' new South Coast Railway Zone starts operations from today. Here's how the new zone will impact railway routes, passenger train services, freight movement and infrastructure development across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions.
South Coast Railway starts operations: Major routes, divisions and passenger benefits explained (Image generated using AI)
South Coast Railway zone latest news: Indian Railways‘ newly created South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone will start operations from today i.e. June 1. The foundation stone for its headquarters in Visakhapatnam was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 8, 2025. With the operationalisation of the SCoR, the total number of railway zones in the country increases to 18.
In a post on X, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the inauguration of the South Coast Railway Zone has fulfilled a decades-long aspiration of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He stated that the new railway zone is expected to transform the transportation landscape of North Andhra.
జూన్ 1 నుంచి విశాఖపట్నం కేంద్రంగా దక్షిణ కోస్తా రైల్వే జోన్ అధికారికంగా ప్రారంభం కావడం చారిత్రాత్మక మైలురాయి. దశాబ్దాల మన కల నెరవేరుతోంది. నూతన రైల్వే జోన్ ఉత్తరాంధ్ర రవాణా ముఖచిత్రాన్ని సమూలంగా మారుస్తుంది. కొత్త ఉపాధి అవకాశాలకు, పారిశ్రామిక వృద్ధికి బాటలు వేస్తుంది. మన…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 31, 2026
South Coast Railway zone gazette notification
In a gazette notification issued on May 4, 2026, the Ministry of Railways said: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Railways Act, 1989 (No.24 of 1989), the Central Government hereby constitutes a new Zonal Railway namely SOUTH COAST RAILWAY with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, out of the existing East Coast Railway and South Central Railway zones, with effect from 01.06.2026.”
According to the notification, the existing Waltair Division of East Coast Railway will be bifurcated in two parts. One part will remain under the existing East Coast Railway and will be renamed as the new Rayagada Division, while the remaining portion of the Waltair Division will become part of the newly created South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone and will be renamed as the Visakhapatnam Division.
Visakhapatnam Division / South Coast Railway: Area of Jurisdiction (w.e.f. 01.06.2026)
South Coast Railway — Visakhapatnam Division | Sections and route kilometres under jurisdiction
Ichchapuram (incl.) — Palasa — Visakhapatnam — Duvvada (incl.)
270
Route km
Vizianagaram (incl.) — Kuneru (incl.)
102
Route km
Naupada Jn — Paralakhemundi (excl.)
39
Route km
Bobbili Jn — Salur
17
Route km
Peripheral Lines (Combined 35 Route km)
Simhachalam North — Duvvada Bypass
Vadalapudi — Duvvada
Visakhapatnam — Jaggayapalem etc.
Total Route Length
463 km
Note: incl. = including | excl. = excluding | Jurisdiction effective from 01.06.2026 following carving out of Rayagada Division
Express InfoGenIE
South Coast Railway zone divisions
The South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone has been formed through the reorganisation of parts of the erstwhile South Central Railway (SCR) and East Coast Railway (ECoR) zones. It covers a vast rail network across Andhra Pradesh and also serves parts of Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
This new zone is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen passenger train services, enhance freight movement and facilitate faster execution of railway infrastructure and capacity expansion projects across the region.
The newly formed zone will consist of four divisions: Visakhapatnam (newly reorganized), Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal.
South Coast Railway zone routes
South Coast Railway Zone: Division-wise Route Chart
4 Divisions: Visakhapatnam | Guntakal | Guntur | Vijayawada — Route sections under each division
Visakhapatnam Division
Duvvada → Visakhapatnam → Palasa → Ichchapuram
Duvvada → Simhachalam North
Vadlapudi → Duvvada
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant → Vadlapudi
Vizianagaram → Kuneru
Naupada Junction → Parlakhemundi
Bobbili → Salur
Guntakal Division
Guntakal → Raichur (excl.)
Guntakal → Dhone
Dhone → Nandyal
Nandyal → Yerraguntla
Guntakal → Ballari (excl.)
Guntakal → Renigunta subdivision
Guntakal → Dharmavaram
Dharmavaram → Pakala
Gudur (excl.) → Renigunta → Katpadi (excl.)
Kadapa → Pendlimarri
Guntur Division
Guntur → Vishnupuram (excl.)
New Piduguralla → Savalyapuram
Nallapadu → Nandyal
Guntur → Tenali (excl.) → Repalle
Guntur → Krishna Canal (excl.)
Nadikudi → Macherla
Guntur Bypass Line
Vijayawada Division
Gudur → Duvvada
Vijayawada → Motumari
Vijayawada → Gudivada → Bhimavaram → Nidadavolu
Gudivada → Machilipatnam
Bhimavaram → Narsapur
Samalkot → Kakinada Port
Kakinada Town → Kotipalli
Venkatachalam → Krishnapatnam Port
Note: Visakhapatnam Division reflects sections under its jurisdiction following the carving out of the Rayagada Division | excl. = excluding
Express InfoGenIE
South Coast Railway zone starts functioning from June 1: Workforce, train operations
The zonal railway will manage a workforce of nearly 17,000 employees. It is expected to handle more than 500 trains during peak operational seasons and over 800 goods trains. It will also expected to play a crucial role in improving cargo movement and multimodal logistics for major ports including: Visakhapatnam Port, Gangavaram Port, Krishnapatnam Port, Kakinada Port and the upcoming Mulapeta Port.
Story continues below this ad
The South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone will have several key maintenance and operational facilities, including wagon maintenance depots, electric and diesel locomotive sheds, coach care centres and other maintenance units. These facilities are strategically located in cities such as Vijayawada, Guntakal, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Advertisement
Live Blog