Separate railway zone with headquarters in Visakhapatnam considered impossible

A separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh with headquarters in Visakhapatnam is not considered viable as communicated by Minister.

A separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh with headquarters in Visakhapatnam remains a distant dream and one which doesn’t seem to see the light of the day as for as progress is concerned. Recently, Minister of state for science and technology Y Sujana Chowdary said that the demand in Andhra Pradesh for a separate rail zone, with its headquarters at Visakhapatnam, was not viable. The announcement by the minister was made based on the findings of a technical committee report.

On Thurday this announcement regarding Visakhapatnam and Andhra Pradesh came to light at a press meet in Andhra University. As to whether the upcoming budget would keep scope for the separate railway zone, the minister has mentioned that is not to be expected. Dashing hopes of many n Andhra Pradesh who have been demanding the same since quite long.

The demand for a separate railway zone is now combined with protests for a ‘Special Status’ for Andhra Pradesh with agitations across Norther Coastal AP. Protests in Visakhapatnam have also been heating up. The promises made during the reorganization of the state have been betrayed, is what the protests declare.

The question as to why the demand is not being fulfilled despite the fact that Andhra Pradesh was allocated Rs 3,406 crore for railway projects, against the last two years’ average of Rs 2,195 crore is unknown. In addition to this, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu has given several assurances of the same, over the years.