Visakhapatnam: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced that the South Coastal Railway zone will be notified, with June 1, 2026 set as the effective date.
He made the announcement while addressing a gathering in Visakhapatnam. According to him, the move will strengthen railway administration in Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister highlighted that Andhra Pradesh received a record railway budget allocation of ₹10,134 crore. In contrast, earlier allocations for the combined state stood at ₹886 crore. Moreover, he said projects worth about ₹1,06,000 crore are currently under implementation.
He pointed out that authorities are redeveloping 74 railway stations across the state. In addition, they have completed 832 flyovers and underpasses, while 299 more remain under construction.
South Coastal Railway expansion drives infrastructure growth
Vaishnaw said Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network. As a result, the state now ranks among the leading regions in railway modernisation.
He added that authorities have completed 1,759 km of railway track, while they are constructing another 3,300 km. Furthermore, officials are upgrading the East Coast Railway Corridor into a four-line network to enhance capacity.
The upgrade will allow operation of up to 500 new trains. Currently, 16 Vande Bharat and 22 Amrit Bharat trains serve the state, improving passenger connectivity.
He also highlighted efforts to strengthen cargo and container services. These links aim to connect ports, tourism centres, and major cities along the corridor.
Referring to future plans, he outlined a proposed high-speed network across southern corridors. Routes such as Amaravati–Hyderabad and Chennai–Bengaluru will see major reductions in travel time.
The Minister described this network as a “High-Speed Diamond” to boost mobility and regional growth. He added that these initiatives will help transform Andhra Pradesh into a major railway and logistics hub.
He said the Union Government remains committed to balanced development and infrastructure growth. He also alleged that opposition parties are politicising development issues.
