Railway Infrastructure Budget Allocation Rises in State
Source:The Hindu ↗
ఇది ఎందుకు ముఖ్యం
Railway infrastructure expansion is a key driver of Andhra Pradesh's economic growth. The operationalization of the SCoR Zone fulfills a major administrative and political demand, while modernization and ROB/RUB constructions improve both safety and ease of living for citizens. This directly relates to regional infrastructure planning and development schemes in the APPSC syllabus.
సారాంశం
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the Central Government's prioritization of railway infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, citing an 11-fold increase in the annual budget allocation to ₹10,134 crore for FY 2026-27. Key developments include the operationalization of the South Coastal Railway (SCoR) Zone on June 1, 2026, the construction of hundreds of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) to improve safety, and the modernization of 74 stations across the state under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
ముఖ్య అంశాలు
- The Central Government has significantly boosted the railway budget allocation for Andhra Pradesh, reaching ₹10,134 crore for FY 2026-27.
- The newly formed South Coastal Railway (SCoR) Zone, a long-pending demand, became fully operational on June 1, 2026.
- For safety and to ensure level crossing-free travel, 838 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) were constructed in the State between 2014 and May 2026.
- Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 74 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh have been selected for modernization, with upgrades already completed at Eluru, Mangalagiri, and Tuni.
ముఖ్యమైన పదాలు
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
A Ministry of Railways initiative to continuously upgrade and modernize over 1,300 railway stations across India with improved passenger amenities, accessibility, and local cultural integration.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure). Tests knowledge of railway modernization, inclusive design, and passenger safety schemes.
South Coastal Railway (SCoR) Zone
India's 18th railway zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam. It was created to improve administrative efficiency, boost connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, and fulfill the AP Reorganisation Act commitments.
UPSC context
Key for GS Paper 1 (Geography) and GS 3 (Infrastructure). Evaluates awareness of Indian Railways' administrative restructuring and regional development.
Road Over/Under Bridges (ROB/RUB)
Grade-separated structures built at railway intersections that allow road traffic to safely pass over or under train tracks, effectively eliminating hazardous level crossings.
UPSC context
Crucial for GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure and Safety). Highlights government measures to eliminate unmanned level crossings and prevent fatal train-vehicle collisions.
ప్రిలిమ్స్ ఉచ్చు
The newly operationalized South Coastal Railway (SCoR) Zone incorporated the entire pre-existing Waltair division under its jurisdiction.
The Waltair division was bifurcated; its passenger-heavy portion merged with SCoR, while its revenue-rich cargo section was redesigned into a new Rayagada division under East Coast Railway.
అనుసంధానమైన స్థిర భావనలు
What historical and modern committee reforms shaped India's merged Union Budget?
- Acworth Committee (1924): Recommended separating the Railway Budget from the General Budget due to railways dominating the colonial government's financial portfolio.
- Bibek Debroy Committee (2015): Recommended merging the budgets to streamline multi-modal transport planning and eliminate populist passenger-fare distortions.
What institutional frameworks govern railway safety and accident prevention in India?
- Anil Kakodkar Committee: Recommended the complete elimination of all level crossings and warned against using safety funds for non-safety operational expenditures.
- Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh: A dedicated, non-lapsable safety fund designed specifically to finance critical safety works like track renewals and road-over-bridges.
అంతర-అంశ నమూనాలు
Federal Reorganisation and Spatial Infrastructure
The creation of SCoR showcases how regional political compromises (Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014) physically redraw administrative boundaries of central public sector assets like railways.
Infrastructure Modernization and Urban Logistics
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme integrates local trade ('One Station One Product') with regional transit networks, transforming stations from mere transit points into urban economic hubs.
Prelims 2026 may link the SCoR zone division geography with safety-related committees like Kakodkar and the RRSK non-lapsable fund.
అనుసంధాన PYQలు · 2
అనుసంధాన PYQలు · 2
- 2019APPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Recently announced South Coastal Railway zone comprises of
- 2024APPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In connection with transport and infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, which of the following statement/statements is/are valid? I. Andhra Pradesh's first riverine project has been proposed between Muktayala and Madipadu on Krishna river. II. The Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport had been started with a corpus fund that is sourced from National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). III. Infrastructure investments in Andhra Pradesh are strictly implemented only with reference to strategic investments like ports and industrial corridors, but not with reference to community assets. IV. Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) are being developed in Andhra Pradesh under the Setu Bandhan Scheme. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
