7 August 2026
In a massive development for millions of train passengers across South India, the newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone has launched a mega ₹54,479 crore infrastructure drive. General Manager Sandeep Mathur announced that just two months after beginning operations, the new railway zone is executing 5 brand-new railway line projects and 24 multi-tracking expansion works. This mega push covers Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions to eliminate heavy train traffic jams, speed up long-distance train journeys, and dramatically boost regional connectivity.
The biggest highlight for everyday commuters is a dedicated ₹300 crore yard remodeling project at Visakhapatnam Junction, which will add 6 brand-new platforms (Platform Nos. 8 to 13), 6 additional railway lines, wider platforms, and modern electronic signaling to prevent train overcrowding and delays. In addition, projects worth another ₹70,865 crore are already planned in the pipeline, featuring the ₹1,205 crore Guntakal–Ballari track quadrupling, major line expansions near Simhachalam North and Renigunta, and the construction of over 300 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) to permanently remove dangerous railway crossings.
Passenger safety and station modernisations are also taking center stage in this transformation. The zone is actively fitting the advanced 'Kavach' anti-collision train protection system onto nearly 100 locomotives, with the first 100-kilometer trial section getting commissioned by the end of the year. At the same time, station upgrades are underway at 70 stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme following the successful launch of modernized stations at Rayanapadu, Mangalagiri, and Cumbum. Covering 3,532 route kilometers, serving four major shipping ports, and targeting annual revenues over ₹15,500 crore with 100 million tonnes of cargo loading, South Coast Railway's fast-track expansion promises safer, smoother, and world-class travel for everyday passengers.