South Coast Railway Zone Begins Operations in Visakhapatnam

The South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone is scheduled to begin operations on 1 June 2026 with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam. The Ministry of Railways issued a gazette notification on 4 May 2026, and SCoR has been constituted as India’s 18th railway zone.

Railway Zone Structure

The South Coast Railway zone includes the existing Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions from South Central Railway. It also includes a newly created Visakhapatnam division. The erstwhile Waltair division was bifurcated for the new arrangement. A 696-km stretch became the Rayagada division under East Coast Railway, while the remaining 463-km stretch became the Visakhapatnam division under SCoR.

Administrative and Legal Basis

The formation of SCoR is linked to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The Act contains provisions related to railway infrastructure and administrative arrangements for Andhra Pradesh. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the operational date on 29 April 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the zonal headquarters in Visakhapatnam in January 2025.

Division Transfers and Network Changes

Seven stations in the Palasa–Ichchapuram section were transferred from East Coast Railway’s Khurda Division to the new Visakhapatnam division. These transfers were part of the operational preparations for the new zone. The South Coast Railway zone covers railway administration in parts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining operational corridors. Railway zones in India function as the top administrative units of Indian Railways.

Important Facts for Exams

• Indian Railways has 18 railway zones after the constitution of South Coast Railway.
• Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of the South Coast Railway zone.
• The Waltair division was split into the Rayagada division and the Visakhapatnam division.
• The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, is linked with the demand for a separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh.

Railway Zonal Administration

Railway zones are headed by a General Manager and are divided into divisions for operational control. Divisions manage train operations, infrastructure, maintenance, and passenger services within their jurisdiction.