Recently there is lot of hullabaloo over the promises made during bifurcation not being kept by union government. Latest union budget by BJP government has been criticized a lot by Telugu people for not allocating sufficient amounts to the state. Among other, one assurance BJP did rat on was, separate railway zone to Vishakapatnam (VSP). In the first place, why was this included in AP reorganization act. What benefits will people really get? Why “one school of thought” opposes creating more railway zones in the country. Let’s find answers.
What is railway zone:
The administration of Railways is divided into zones and divisions. A zone is headed by a General Manager and a division is headed by a Divisional Railway Manager (DRM). Presently there are total 17 zones and around 70 divisions in Indian Railways. A typical Railway division has on an average railway tracks of about 1000 kilometres length and about 15,000 employees. Each zone will have one control room which controls and monitors operations of all trains within the division. Each division also has a Disaster Management Center equipped with Accident Relief Trains, Accident Relief Medical Vans and Breakdown Cranes. Besides above Diesel Locomotive Sheds, Electric Locomotive Sheds and Coaching Depots are also provided at Division level.
The South Central Railway zone has its head quarter at Secunderabad and comprises five divisions each located at Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Guntakal, Guntur and Nanded. Vizag is part of Waltair division which is under East Coast Railway zone that has head quarters at Bhuvaneswar of Odisha. Waltair division (Vizag) is the highest revenue generator for the East Coast Railway zone .
What are benefits to people of AP if Vizag railway zone created?
First things first. Vizag is the most revenue generating division in the zone. This is a surplus revenue division of the whole Bhubaneswar zone (East Coast Railway zone) and the other divisions of the zone are surviving on the surplus revenue of Vishakhapatnam division. This is one reason why Odisha state is against creating special zone leaving the VSP division. If Vizag is made separate railway zone, this surplus revenue could be used to develop further infrastructure “within the newly created zone”. Another point to be noted here is BJP is having better base in Odisha with 18% vote bank and 10 out of 147 MLAs in 2014 elections(against 4 MLAs and less than 4% vote bank in AP). So, it seems BJP is worried about losing base in Odisha if Vizag railway zone is announced.
Creation of division or a zone at any particular place ensures creation of many job opportunities for individuals along with indirect employment to many others in ancillary and associated sectors. Especially the zone that is to be created has surplus revenue, it is sure to spur the developmental activities within the zone.
Also, the zone creation has direct impact on employment opportunities. At present the people of Vizag, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have to attend at Bhubaneswar (headquarters of the zone) for any railway jobs (RRB). It is alleged that they are preferring local people and people from outside Odisha are facing problems while attending the interviews. Even though problem is not as severe as what happened at Mumbai when MNS party (of Raj Thakare) attacked other state candidates and sent them back without allowing to interviews, nonetheless, there is a problem at Bhubaneswar zone too. So, people believe, if Vizag is made a zone, at least this problem also will be resolved.
Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of north Andhra have been considered backward districts. With new railway zone, definitely, these districts will witness some development activity. Because, railway operations will be under purview of the zone. So, if the railway lines and transport facilities are properly planned, many industries would come to the area because cargo transport facilities are proved to enhance business opportunities and thereby help develop backward areas.
In addition, facilitating better connectivity to various cities within AP, including capital city Amaravati, the new zone would help introduce long-distance trains outside the state.
Finally, Vizag has become a happening city with port and airport facilities available. So, granting Railway zone to vizag will definitely work synergically with these facilities and vizag may become a growth center. With Amaravati being announced as capital of the state, there is apprehension among people that the same mistake that happened with Hyderabad may repeat if all the development is centralized at Amaravathi. State needs decentralized development to allay those apprehensions and forming Vizag railway zone will help allay such apprehensions, at least for north Andhra people.
Why one school of thought is against creating any new (not just Vizag) railway zone?
The Railways, like the Defence forces, have been the single largest unifying force in this country. More zones, instead of simplifying the operations, practically, are adding more blocks to the operations and there by decreasing the operational efficiency. Moreover, the creation of new zones are adding expenditure to the railways and the revenue to the railways is not increased by creating new zones. Creation of new zonal headquarters, the construction of offices and other facilities will be one-time expenditure and there will be high recurring costs, not only by way of the maintenance of new set-ups but also by way of the additional recruitment’s to be made. So, creating new zones always increase the costs for railway and also decreases operational efficiency.
What is the way out?
Any democracy’s main goal to cater for people’s aspirations. When AP was bifurcated in 2014, people of Seemandhra felt neglected, betrayed and snubbed. That was evident in the election results of 2014. But, now the government by not keeping up promises, doing same mistake again and making people lose faith in democracy itself. If something mentioned in the bill that was assented by president itself is not implemented for several years despite demonstrations from people, what message people will get. If not for anything at least for the reason that it is mentioned in the reorganization act and was assured by all political parties before elections, Vizag railway zone should be granted by the union government.
-Zuran
