Centre rules out the possibility of a separate railway zone in Vizag

Centre rules out the possibility of railway zone for Vizag

In a disappointing news to Andhra Pradesh, the long-awaited railway zone in Andhra Pradesh, with headquarters in Vizag, has been ruled out by the centre with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba making it clear on Monday.

Reportedly, Rajiv Gauba said that the feasibility reports and the Railway Board were not in favour of the creation of the new zone for Andhra Pradesh. Mr.Gauba also told the officials that a new port Duggirajupatnam was not feasible, and asked them to look for an alternate site.

“We should not expect the railway zone. One of the two Union ministers from the TDP had made bold statements that the railway zone would be addressed by the Centre before March 5. But, before the deadline, the ministers resigned from their posts and the prevailing acrimony between the BJP and TDP means we can forget about the railway zone,” S S Shiva Shankar, president of Uttarandhra Rakshna Vedika (URV), was quoted as saying.

“As of now, railways doesn’t feel there’s any operational need to establish a new zone with Vizag as its headquarters,” a senior official told TOI.

Responding to the latest announcement by the centre, the leaders from the state said that they will continue to fight and demand to fulfill the promises made to Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, the then Minister of State for Science and Technology, Y Sujana Chowdary held talks with several leaders and officials in regard to the creation of the zone in Andhra Pradesh with Vizag as the headquarters.