VISAKHAPATNAM: In a significant move, the Railway Board has issued an official order retaining the 132-year-old Waltair Railway Division in a truncated form, renaming it the Visakhapatnam Division.
The decision forms part of the restructuring of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, which will now consist of four divisions: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal.
According to the official order, a portion of the existing Waltair Division, covering approximately 410 km, will be incorporated into the new Visakhapatnam Division under SCoR.
This section includes the railway lines between Palasa - Visakhapatnam - Duvvada, Kuneru - Vizianagaram, Naupada Junction - Paralakhemundi, Bobbili Junction - Salur, Simhachalam North - Duvvada bypass, Vadalapudi - Duvvada, and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant - Jaggayapalem.
The remaining portion of the Waltair Division, covering about 680 km, including sections such as Kottavalasa - Bacheli/Kirandul, Kuneru - Theruvali Junction, and Paralakhemundi - Gunpur, will be reorganised into a new division headquartered in Rayagada under East Coast Railway.
Significant shift in railway setup for North Andhra
As part of this reorganisation, the Kottavalasa - Bacheli/Kirandul line, which includes the Araku Valley station — a key tourist destination in Andhra Pradesh — will now fall under the jurisdiction of Odisha’s Rayagada Division.
This change marks a significant shift in the railway setup for North Andhra. Araku, previously part of the Waltair Division, holds considerable importance for Andhra Pradesh, particularly in terms of tourism, attracting both domestic and international visitors. With this move, the Araku line will no longer fall under the newly formed South Coast Railway Zone in Visakhapatnam.
It was further noted that the exact territorial jurisdictions will be decided once the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared, accounting for the changes made.
As part of the jurisdictional adjustments between the South Central Railway (SCR) and the proposed South Coast Railway (SCoR), several railway sections are being reassigned to improve operational efficiency and facilitate better coal transportation.
The 108 km Raichur to Wadi section will be transferred from the Guntakal Division of the proposed SCoR to the Secunderabad Division of SCR. This move aims to prevent Wadi from becoming an interchange point for three different railway zones — SCR, SCoR, and Central Railway (CR) — which could present operational challenges. Additionally, the transfer will ensure smooth coal transportation through Secunderabad Division, supporting the steady supply to thermal power plants in the Raichur-Wadi section.
Similarly, the 142 km Vishnupuram to Pagidipalli and Vishnupuram to Janpahad sections will be shifted from Guntur Division of the proposed SCoR to the Secunderabad Division of SCR. This adjustment will streamline coal transportation from the Singareni region to Vishnupuram, supporting the needs of the upcoming thermal power plant at Yadadri.
Additionally, the 46 km Kondaipalli to Motumari section will be reassigned from the Secunderabad Division of SCR to the Vijayawada Division of the proposed SCoR. This move will eliminate the zonal interchange boundary near the N Tata Rao power plant and Rayanapadu workshop.
Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat, who has been instrumental in the process, welcomed the decision, calling it a significant milestone in fulfilling the long-standing demand of the Uttarandhra region.
He stated that renaming and retaining the Waltair Division as the Visakhapatnam Division provides clarity and security to railway employees while strengthening railway infrastructure in the city. He added that this move will enhance connectivity, improve passenger and freight services, and accelerate railway development in Visakhapatnam.
“With the reorganisation, Visakhapatnam is expected to receive increased Central support for new railway projects, modernised facilities, and expanded services,” he remarked.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for their role in securing the decision. He noted that establishing Visakhapatnam as a central hub within the South Coast Railway Zone would expedite project implementation and contribute to the overall development of the city.