Tenders have been called for construction of the general manager’s office of the south coast railway zone
| Photo Credit: File photo
The year 2024 rekindled the hopes of Vizagites on the new rail zone with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam. Now, they see light at the end of the tunnel as steps are afoot for speeding up the work on the zone.
The much-awaited work is all set to begin as tenders have been called for construction of the general manager’s office.
It has been decided to complete the project at a cost of ₹149 crore in two years. Though the new rail zone was announced in 2019, no progress was seen for over five years.
The zone, which has been named, South Coastal Railway (SCoR), consists of Guntakal, Guntur and Vijayawada, with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam. While one part of Waltair division was proposed to be merged with the Rayagada division of the East Coast Railway, the residual part of Waltair division was proposed to be merged with Vijayawada division.
Waltair division is being fragmented from all sides over the years, particularly after the formation of E Co R, and now its very existence is being threatened. While one portion of Waltair division will be merged, as agreed, with the new railway division being formed with headquarters at Rayagada in Odisha, the ill-conceived plan was to merge the residual part of Waltair division with Vijayawada division, without any justification, say rail users.
This is because railway assets like Diesel Loco Shed (DLS), Electric Loco Shed (ELS), Coach Complex (for maintenance of originating and terminating trains), Wagon Repair Shop (for repair of goods wagons) are all located in Visakhapatnam city. The divisional headquarters and main offices are all located in the city. The employees and officers will all have to work in the city, even if the residual portion of Waltair division is merged with Vijayawada division, which is around 350 km away from Vizag. An ADRM-level officer has to be posted in Visakhapatnam to coordinate with the officials of Visakhapatnam Port, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) and other public sector and private industries located in and around the city for supply of rakes, required for the movement of raw materials and finished products.
Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat has recently sought retaining of the residual portion of Waltair with Headquarters in Visakhapatnam, instead of merging it with Vijayawada.
Published – December 24, 2024 01:00 am IST