Visakhapatnam, June 1: Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Monday expressed happiness over the commencement of administrative operations of the new South Coast Railway Zone from Visakhapatnam, describing it as a long-awaited achievement for the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking at a programme held at A.S. Peta near the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border in Ichchapuram Mandal, the minister said the establishment of the new railway zone would enable regional issues to be addressed more effectively.
Rammohan Naidu recalled that he had raised the demand for a separate railway zone on multiple occasions in Parliament and had even participated in protests, including a hunger strike at Ichchapuram railway station, to press for the cause.
“Today, I am happy to witness the beginning of operations of the South Coast Railway Zone. From now on, many regional railway issues can be resolved through our own administrative structure,” he said.
The Union Minister, along with Government Whip Ashok, unveiled a welcome board for the South Coast Railway Zone. As part of the inauguration ceremony, they broke a ceremonial coconut and planted a sapling to mark the occasion.
Rammohan Naidu paid tribute to his father, late Yerran Naidu, stating that he had worked tirelessly for more than a decade to secure the railway zone for the region.
He congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly those from Srikakulam district, on the launch of the new zone and described it as a significant step towards regional development.
The minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for their support in making the South Coast Railway Zone a reality.
The South Coast Railway Zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, is expected to improve railway administration, infrastructure development, and service delivery across the region.
