From Vijayawada To Visakhapatnam, What India's New South Coast Railway Zone Means For Travellers

The newly established South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone officially began operations on June 1, marking a significant milestone for Indian Railways and fulfilling a long-pending demand from Andhra Pradesh. With the launch of the new zone, the total number of railway zones in the country has risen to 18.

The headquarters of the South Coast Railway is located in Visakhapatnam, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the zonal headquarters on January 8, 2025.

Andhra Pradesh Leadership Welcomes Launch

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway Zone as the fulfilment of a decades-old aspiration of the state’s people.

In a post on X, CM Naidu said the new zone is expected to significantly strengthen transportation

infrastructure in North Andhra and contribute to the region’s development.

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

The Ministry of Railways formally notified the creation of the South Coast Railway Zone through a gazette notification issued on May 4, 2026. As quoted in the notification, the Centre exercised its powers under the Railways Act, 1989, to establish the new zonal railway with headquarters at Visakhapatnam from June 1, 2026.

According to the IE report, the new zone has been carved out of portions of the existing East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR) zones. As part of the restructuring, the existing Waltair Division of East Coast Railway has been divided into two separate units.

One section will continue under East Coast Railway and will be renamed the Rayagada Division. The remaining portion has been incorporated into the South Coast Railway Zone and redesignated as the Visakhapatnam Division.

Four Divisions Under New Railway Zone

The South Coast Railway Zone has been created through the reorganisation of parts of the former South Central Railway and East Coast Railway networks. The zone will oversee a substantial railway network across Andhra Pradesh while also serving parts of Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

The newly formed zone comprises four divisions:

• Visakhapatnam Division
• Vijayawada Division
• Guntur Division
• Guntakal Division

Division-Wise Route Chart Of South Coast Railway Zone

Division	Route Sections
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

Railway authorities expect the new administrative structure to improve operational efficiency, strengthen passenger services, enhance freight transportation and accelerate railway infrastructure and capacity expansion projects across the region.

Major Role In Passenger And Freight Operations

The South Coast Railway Zone will manage a workforce of nearly 17,000 employees. During peak operational periods, the zone is expected to handle more than 500 passenger trains and over 800 goods trains, underlining its importance within the national railway network.

The new zone is also expected to play a key role in improving cargo transportation and multimodal logistics across eastern and southern India.

Strategic Importance For Port Connectivity

The South Coast Railway Zone will support freight movement to several major ports along the eastern coast, including:

• Visakhapatnam Port
• Gangavaram Port
• Krishnapatnam Port
• Kakinada Port
• Upcoming Mulapeta Port

Improved rail connectivity to these ports is expected to strengthen cargo handling capabilities and support regional trade and industrial activity.

Extensive Maintenance Infrastructure In Place

The zone will also oversee a range of operational and maintenance facilities, including wagon maintenance depots, electric and diesel locomotive sheds, coach care centres and other railway maintenance units.

These facilities are located across key railway centres such as Vijayawada, Guntakal, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, ensuring support for both passenger and freight operations throughout the network.

New Chapter For Rail Connectivity In Andhra Pradesh

The launch of the South Coast Railway Zone represents one of the most significant railway reorganisations in recent years.

Railway officials expect the move to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen connectivity and support future rail infrastructure development across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions.