Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Create A New Railway Zone With Headquaters At Vishakhapatnam. on 1 August, 2018
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Need to create a new railway zone with headquaters at Vishakhapatnam.
SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI) (ANAKAPALLI): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to raise the issue of creating a new Railway Zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam.
I would like to bring to the kind notice of the Government that Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway contributes the highest revenue to the Indian Railways. The Division has been discriminated in getting its dues in terms of train services, passenger amenities, development of railway stations etc., in proportion to its contribution to the total revenue accruals of the East Coast Railway Zone, as a result, there has been a growing demand from public, public representatives, intellectuals and other sections of the society for creation of a separate Railway Zone and its Headquarters at Visakhapatnam. It is to be noted that Visakhapatnam has all wherewithal to become the Headquarters of an independent Railway Zone. Considering its importance as a major industrial, educational and financial hub, it is the long-cherished dream, desire and demand of the people of Uttarandhra to have a separate Railway Zone.
While bifurcating the State of Andhra Pradesh, the then Government had promised in the A.P. Reorganisation Act that a separate Railway Zone would be created in Andhra Pradesh, apart from other promises. Last week, in the other House, while replying to the Short Duration Discussion initiated by our leader, Shri Sujana Chowdhury, Shri Rajnath Singh, hon. Home Minister promised that the Railway Zone would be created in Andhra Pradesh State. But the Government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that it was not possible to create a separate Railway Zone in Andhra Pradesh.
I am unable to understand the dual statements being made by the representatives of the Government. Which one is correct? Therefore, I would request the Government of India to announce the creation of a new Railway Zone well in advance, probably before the next General Elections, 2019. Thank you, Madam.