Cabinet retains truncated Waltair railway division as Visakhapatnam division under South Coast Railway
The Union Cabinet on 7 February 2025 gave ex-post facto approval to retain the Waltair division in truncated form, renamed Visakhapatnam division, under the new South Coast Railway zone.
Summary
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on 7 February 2025 gave ex-post facto approval to partially modify its decision of 28 February 2019 on the South Coast Railway zone at Visakhapatnam. One part of the Waltair division, about 410 km including Palasa–Visakhapatnam–Duvvada, will be retained under the new South Coast Railway and renamed Visakhapatnam division, since 'Waltair' was described as a colonial legacy. The other part, about 680 km including Kottavalasa–Bacheli and Singapur Road–Koraput, will become a new division headquartered at Rayagada under East Coast Railway.
Key facts
- Decision
- 7 February 2025, ex-post facto Cabinet approval; modifies decision of 28 February 2019
- Retained part
- About 410 km, renamed Visakhapatnam division, under South Coast Railway
- Other part
- About 680 km, new division with HQ at Rayagada under East Coast Railway
- Reason for renaming
- 'Waltair' a colonial legacy
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The truncated Waltair railway division retained by the Cabinet decision of 7 February 2025 is to be renamed as:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Visakhapatnam division
The retained part of the Waltair division will be renamed Visakhapatnam division, as 'Waltair' was described as a colonial legacy.
Under which railway zone will the renamed Visakhapatnam division function, as per the Cabinet decision of 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — South Coast Railway
The Visakhapatnam division will be under the new South Coast Railway; the other part of Waltair becomes a new Rayagada division under East Coast Railway.
Approximately how much route length of the old Waltair division is retained as the Visakhapatnam division under the February 2025 Cabinet decision?
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Correct answer: B — 410 km
About 410 km is retained as the Visakhapatnam division; the remaining about 680 km forms the new Rayagada division.