Amaravati, June 1 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan and state BJP President, PVN Madhav have welcomed the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway Zone, calling it a proud moment for Andhra and its people.

Pawan Kalyan took to ‘X’ to hail the new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.

“We heartily welcome the South Coast Railway Zone which begins its operations from Visakhapatnam today, marking a significant step towards enhanced connectivity, greater efficiency, and accelerated growth for Andhra Pradesh. As the 18th Zone of Indian Railways, it will strengthen rail infrastructure across the state, improve regional connectivity, and contribute to balanced development in every region of Andhra Pradesh,” posted the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Jana Sena leader thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for making “this long-cherished aspiration a reality.” He called it a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh and its people.

PVN Madhav said that the long-cherished dream of the people of North Coastal Andhra has finally become a reality with the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway Zone headquartered at Visakhapatnam.

“Today is not merely an administrative milestone; it is the culmination of a people’s movement that began in the 1980s and continued for over four decades. I still vividly remember my college days when I actively participated in agitations demanding a separate Railway Zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters. Over the years, BJP Karyakartas, public representatives, railway employees’ associations, and various people’s organisations relentlessly fought for this aspiration through protests, awareness campaigns, representations, and public movements,” he posted on ‘X’.

The BJP leader stated that even the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act only provided for examining the feasibility of establishing a Railway Zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.

He said the efforts finally bore fruit when the South Coast Railway Zone was announced in 2019.

“Today, witnessing it become operational is a moment of immense pride, satisfaction, and gratitude. The South Coast Railway Zone will significantly improve railway logistics, freight movement, industrial connectivity, employment generation, and passenger services. It will serve as a catalyst for the economic transformation of North Coastal Andhra and further strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s contribution to India’s growth story,” he said and thanked Prime Minister Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, BJP leaders and leaders across political parties.

–IANS

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