South Coastal Railway zone to come into effect from 1 June 2026; Andhra Pradesh's rail network fully electrified
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Visakhapatnam on 28 April 2026 that the gazette notification creating the South Coastal Railway zone will be issued with 1 June 2026 as the effective date, and announced 100% electrification of Andhra Pradesh's rail network.
Summary
The South Coastal Railway zone will be created with 1 June 2026 as its effective date, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in Visakhapatnam on 28 April 2026, after the ground-breaking of the Google Cloud India AI Hub. Vaishnaw said Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network and has received a record railway budget of ₹10,134 crore, against ₹886 crore earlier for the combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Railway projects worth about ₹1,06,000 crore are underway in the state, and 74 stations are being redeveloped.
Key facts
- New zone
- South Coastal Railway; effective 1 June 2026 (gazette notification)
- Announced
- 28 April 2026, Visakhapatnam, by Ashwini Vaishnaw
- Electrification
- 100% of Andhra Pradesh's rail network
- AP rail budget
- ₹10,134 crore (vs ₹886 crore earlier for undivided AP+TS)
- Projects underway
- ~₹1,06,000 crore; 74 stations being redeveloped
Practice MCQs 3 questions
As announced on 28 April 2026, from which date will the South Coastal Railway zone come into effect?
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Correct answer: C — 1 June 2026
The Railway Minister said the gazette notification will be issued with 1 June 2026 as the effective date.
Which state was announced on 28 April 2026 to have achieved 100% electrification of its railway network, along with the creation of the South Coastal Railway zone?
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Correct answer: B — Andhra Pradesh
Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in Visakhapatnam that Andhra Pradesh has achieved 100% electrification of its railway network.
According to the Railway Minister, what is Andhra Pradesh's railway budget allocation, described as a record?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹10,134 crore
Andhra Pradesh received a record ₹10,134 crore, compared with ₹886 crore earlier for combined AP and Telangana; ₹1,06,000 crore is the value of projects underway.