The government plans to create the South Coastal Railway Zone, effective June 1, to enhance railway administration in Andhra Pradesh, as stated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. With a substantial budget allocation of Rs. 10,134 crore, Andhra Pradesh is undergoing various projects worth about Rs. 1,06,000 crore to improve connectivity within the state, including links to ports, tourism spots, and major cities.
This allocation marks a significant increase compared to previous years, where only Rs. 886 crore was allocated for the combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Minister Vaishnaw, speaking at a Google Cloud India AI Hub event in Visakhapatnam, highlighted the reconstruction and redevelopment of 74 stations. Moreover, Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network, positioning itself as a leader in railway modernization efforts.
The minister also mentioned the completion of various infrastructure works in Andhra Pradesh, including 832 flyovers and underpasses, with 299 more under construction. Additionally, significant progress has been made in track development, with 1,759 kilometers already finished and 3,300 kilometers under construction. Vaishnaw outlined plans for a “High-Speed Diamond” of southern corridors, aiming to reduce travel times significantly, such as Amaravati to Hyderabad in 70 minutes, Amaravati to Chennai in 112 minutes, and Chennai to Bengaluru in 73 minutes.
Furthermore, the state currently benefits from 16 Vande Bharat trains and 22 Amrit Bharat train services, enhancing travel efficiency and comfort. The East Coast Railway Corridor is undergoing upgrades to transform into a four-line network, expected to double capacity and facilitate the operation of up to 500 new trains.
