South Coast Railway (SCoR): India's 18th Railway Zone Begins Operations from Visakhapatnam

Detailed Summary

India's railway network expanded significantly on June 1, 2026, with the commencement of operations of the South Coast Railway zone (abbreviated as SCoR), making it the country's 18th railway zone. The zonal headquarters is located at Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh. The zone was formally notified by the Union Government through a gazette notification on May 6, 2026, and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the June 1, 2026 operational date on April 28, 2026. The foundation stone for the headquarters building was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2025. The General Manager of the new zone is Sandeep Mathur. SCoR covers a total rail network of 3,532 km with 385 stations under its jurisdiction.

Divisions Under SCoR

• Guntakal Division (from South Central Railway)
• Guntur Division (from South Central Railway)
• Vijayawada Division (from South Central Railway)
• Visakhapatnam Division (formerly Waltair Division, from East Coast Railway)

Historical Background

The demand for a separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh grew significantly after the state was bifurcated by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (which created Telangana). Residual Andhra Pradesh argued it needed dedicated railway administration. The Union Government first announced the creation of SCoR on February 17, 2019, and the Union Cabinet gave ex post facto approval on February 7, 2025. Indian Railways unveiled a new 18-star logo on May 27, 2026, symbolising the addition of the 18th zone.

Why Important for TNPSC

Indian Railways-related questions — including number of railway zones, headquarters, newly formed zones — are regular features in TNPSC General Knowledge sections for all groups. The addition of the 18th zone is particularly important for 2026 aspirants.

Tamil Nadu Relevance

The SCoR zone partially covers Tamil Nadu and Karnataka sections (in addition to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). Chennai-Visakhapatnam express trains now fall under SCoR's operational jurisdiction. Awareness of SCoR is relevant for Tamil Nadu candidates.

Key Highlights

• India's 18th Railway Zone: South Coast Railway (SCoR)
• Headquarters: Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh
• Operational date: June 1, 2026
• Gazette notification: May 6, 2026 (or May 4 per some sources)
• Network coverage: 3,532 km, 385 stations
• General Manager: Sandeep Mathur
• Four Divisions: Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam
• New 18-star Indian Railways logo released: May 27, 2026

Indian Railway Zones (All 18) — Quick Reference

Important Acts

• Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 — The root cause for the demand for SCoR.
• Indian Railways Act, 1989 — Governs Indian Railways operations.

Important Terms

• Railway Zone: An administrative unit of Indian Railways, headed by a General Manager, which oversees railway operations in a defined geographic region.
• Railway Division: A sub-unit of a railway zone; headed by a Divisional Railway Manager (DRM).
• Ex Post Facto Approval: Formal approval granted after an action has already been taken.

3 TNPSC-Style MCQs

MCQ 1

Q: Which is India's 18th Railway Zone that became operational on June 1, 2026?

• A) East Coast Railway
• B) South Western Railway
• C) South Coast Railway
• D) Andhra Pradesh Railway

Answer: C) South Coast Railway (SCoR)

Explanation: The South Coast Railway (SCoR) with headquarters at Visakhapatnam became India's 18th railway zone on June 1, 2026. It was carved out of South Central Railway and East Coast Railway zones.

MCQ 2

Q: Where is the headquarters of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) located?

• A) Vijayawada
• B) Guntur
• C) Hyderabad
• D) Visakhapatnam

Answer: D) Visakhapatnam

Explanation: The SCoR headquarters is located at The Deck, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh.

MCQ 3

Q: The demand for a separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh arose primarily due to which Act?

• A) States Reorganisation Act, 1956
• B) Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
• C) Indian Railways Act, 1989
• D) National Capital Territory Act, 1991

Answer: B) Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014

Explanation: The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and creation of Telangana under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 led to demands for a dedicated railway zone for the residual state of Andhra Pradesh.