There is no headway in the proposal to establish a new railway zone in Andhra Pradesh, with headquarters in Visakhapatnam, three years after the Narendra Modi Government assumed office. The indecision of the government is hindering development of Andhra Pradesh, says Praja Spandana president C.S. Rao.
Mr. Rao, retired Indian Economic Service (IES) officer and social activist, had written a letter to the Prime Minister a few months ago seeking early announcement of the zone without any further delay.
He received a letter from the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) last month, saying that the issues involved were complex and long term issues requiring decisions at various levels. The Ministry had asked the Committee of Senior Railway Officers, which had given a report on establishment of the new zone, to consult various stakeholders including MPs and State governments before taking a final decision.
The letter noted that the matter ‘is under examination in the Ministry of Railways’. This dodging by the government is nothing but cheating the people of Andhra Pradesh, in general, and North Andhra in particular, says Mr. Rao.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, Visakhapatnam MP and BJP State president Kambhampati Haribabu had issued categorical statements that Visakhapatnam is the choice for location of the railway zone headquarters.
Mr. Rao wondered as to how much time was taken when seven mini zones were formed in 2003 and what technical scrutiny was done. The announcement of the zones was done according to the whims and fancies of the then Railway Minister.
The Chief Minister however, stated several times in the past that Visakhapatnam was the choice of the new railway zone headquarters. The undue delay in the announcement of the zone is raising doubts among the people on the real intentions of the government.
“Once the new zone is established dedicated freight corridors, sub-urban train services to connect the hinterland to Visakhapatnam”, Mr. Rao says.