Andhra Pradesh will enter a new phase in its transport sector when the South Coast Railway zone (SCR) begins operations on June first, 2026, after the Gazette notification defined its limits and jurisdiction. The state Minister for Roads and Buildings, B.C. Janardhan Reddy, said the decision to place the headquarters at Visakhapatnam was historic and represented the fulfilment of a long-cherished demand of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, for taking a favourable decision with the southern state's interests in mind. The minister indicated that the gazette release and the scheduled launch date will allow administrative arrangements to proceed. He said the new zone will strengthen railway administration and improve operational efficiency across the region. The minister added that the establishment of SCR will enable focused infrastructure development, the introduction of new train services and enhanced maintenance of existing assets. He said the initiative will create better employment prospects and more robust connectivity for passengers and freight. The Gazette notification sets out the zone limits and jurisdiction, and officials will begin work on the reorganisation of divisions and administrative units ahead of operations. State and railway authorities will coordinate to finalise staff allocations, timetables and infrastructure projects prior to the commencement. The minister indicated that local decision making will accelerate project delivery and simplify administrative processes. Local representatives and business groups welcomed the announcement and said it will boost regional economic activity and passenger convenience. Officials said the SCR headquarters at Visakhapatnam will act as a nodal point for planning and investment in railway infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh. The launch on June first will mark the start of implementation of the plans set out in the gazette notice.