A Dossier on Visakhapatnam
Two voluntary organizations demands formation of a separate railway zone
Visakha City, February 21, 2010
Two voluntary organizations viz., Praja Spandana, a forum for common cause headed by a former Indian Economic Services Officer CS Rao and Kalavedika, a social and cultural organization founded by Nanduri Ramakrishna joined the chorus, demanding formation of a separate Railway zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam. Speaking to media, CS Rao and Ramakrishna recalled the history right from 1955 when Waltair Division was part of Bengal-Nagpur Railway and how it had been subjected to step motherly treatment.
CS Rao expressed strong opposition to the proposal to merge Waltair division with SC Railway as an alternative for formation of separate zone. Pointing out to the present political scenario in the State, he termed the proposal as ‘a remedy worse than disease’ and urged all concerned not to fall a prey to it. Formation of a separate zone would help development of hinterland, they said. Successive Railway Ministers in the last one and half decade never bothered to develop this Division which was one of the highest revenue earning divisions.
Rao blamed the political leadership for the sorry state of affairs. He recalled how the Visakhapatnam MP immediately after elections announced that the issue of separate zone was top most in her agenda, but subsequently made a volute face. They appealed to Corporators, MLAs and MPs as also to the Chief Minister to pursue the issue and see that a separate zone was formed.
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