Exciting News: New South Coastal Railway Zone Set to Launch in 2026!

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the South Coastal Railway Zone will officially start operations on June 1, 2026. This new zone aims to enhance the Railway Administration in Andhra Pradesh, supported by a record budget allocation and ongoing projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crore. With full electrification of the railway network and the introduction of new train services, this initiative promises to significantly improve connectivity and operational efficiency in the region. Discover more about the exciting developments in the Indian railway sector.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 16:25 IST

Announcement of the New Railway Zone

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the South Coastal Zone will officially commence operations on June 1, 2026.

Speaking at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, Vaishnaw stated, "A Gazette Notification will be issued to establish the South Coastal Railway Zone, with June 1, 2026, set as the operational date."

He emphasized that this initiative is a crucial advancement in enhancing the Railway Administration within Andhra Pradesh.

The minister highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has been allocated a historic railway budget of Rs 10,134 crore, a significant rise from the previous allocation of Rs 886 crore for the combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to a statement from the Railway Ministry.

Vaishnaw also mentioned that railway projects worth around Rs 1,06,000 crore are currently in progress in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at improving connectivity to ports, tourist attractions, and major urban centers.

With the addition of the South Coastal Zone, the country will have a total of 18 railway zones.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this new zone on June 8, 2025, following its announcement in February 2019.

The Railway Ministry indicated that the establishment of the South Coastal Railway Zone (SCoR) aims to enhance operational efficiency and cater to the increasing passenger and freight demands in the area.

Vaishnaw also noted that Andhra Pradesh has achieved full electrification of its railway network, placing it among the forefront of Railway Modernization efforts.

Regarding passenger services, he mentioned that the state currently operates 16 Vande Bharat trains and 22 Amrit Bharat train services, significantly improving travel efficiency and comfort.

Furthermore, he announced that the entire East Coast Railway Corridor is undergoing upgrades to a four-line network, which is anticipated to double capacity and facilitate the operation of up to 500 additional trains.