Visakhapatnam: In a key meeting on Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Visakhapatnam MP Sribharat, and other MPs engaged Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav on critical issues concerning the Union railways. The potential dissolution of the Waltair division, a major revenue contributor, has raised concerns over the transfer of freight revenue from the South Coast Zone to the East Coast Zone. MP Sribharat strongly appealed for the retention of the Waltair division and for elevating Visakhapatnam’s status in the railway network.
The coalition government has resolved land issues for establishing the Visakhapatnam railway zone office, allocating 52 acres in Mudasarlova. However, despite completing the land transfer and mutation by August, the Centre has delayed initiating construction. While the foundation stone was promised for December, no date has been finalised. Tenders called for construction last month remain pending.
Sribharat urged the Union Railway Minister to commence operations in existing railway buildings until the zonal office is built. He also highlighted the significant repercussions of the Waltair division’s abolition, which would lead to the division of North Andhra’s railway jurisdictions. Areas under the Waltair division would be merged with the Vijayawada division and Odisha’s Khurda division, while the KK line from Kothavalasa in Vizianagaram district would join the Rayagada division in the East Coast Zone.
Discussions also covered the establishment of the Visakhapatnam railway zone, new train services, and infrastructure enhancements. MP Sribharat expressed confidence that these deliberations would catalyse Visakhapatnam’s growth, particularly in IT, infrastructure, and transportation, fostering overall state development.
