Railway Board sharply reacted to the media reports about taking ‘U’ turn on setting up Railway zone at Visakhapatnam. According to Railway Board officials, the reports about shelving the proposal are not true. Railway Board is still considering the proposal based on the report submitted by the expert committee. Railway Board will submit its report to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu very soon for his consideration. Centre will take a final decision on this proposal following the recommendations of concerned minister Suresh Prabhu, said the officials. Hence, they asked the people not to believe any reports until the Centre make an official announcement on this particular proposal.

But, according to the latest reports, Railways Board Chairman AK Mittal told the Chief Secretary of the state, IYR Krishna Rao that Oddisha state is objecting this proposal of setting up separate Railway Zone for the AP state at Visakhapatnam because it may throw East Coast Railway zone operating from Bhuvaneshwar into heavy losses.

Mittal reportedly told him that separate Railway Zone for each and every state is not necessary, particularly this proposal is not viable. He also reportedly told Krishna Rao that Railway Zone can’t be set up at Visakhapatnam due to technical problems. But, the Railway Board officials have taken a sharp ‘U’ turn on their Chairman’s statement made on Tuesday, probably to control the damage occurred with it to the state and central governments.

Hence, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu should make a statement in this regard to clear the air otherwise it will create confusion among the people of the state.