Special railway zone for Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Finally, the decks seem to have been cleared for a special railway zone at Visakhapatnam with the in-principle approval given by Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu, meeting the long-pending demand of the people of AP.

It was during the bifurcation process, a special railway zone was promised for the truncated AP. Besides facilitating better connectivity to various cities within AP, including capital city Amaravati, the new zone would help introduce long-distance trains outside the state.

It was a firm allegation by the Passengers’ Associations that despite the metamorphosis of the Visakhapatnam region in the last two decades, the railway facilities have not increased on par with its development.

“The East Coast Railway officials have been meting out step-motherly treatment to the Waltair Division. The irony is that several major trains that run to and fro Howrah don’t have a halt at Visakhapatnam,” said leader of an association.
“I don’t have information regarding allotment of a new zone but it is necessary as it will give a fillip to the industries,” said Vizag MP K. Haribabu.