Waltair Division should include entire KK Line, says CPI-M

CPI-M welcomes retention of Waltair Division in S Co R Zone, criticizes merger of KK Line in Rayagada Division.

While welcoming the decision of the Centre to retain the residual part of Waltair Division, with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, and include it in the new South Coast Railway (S Co R) Zone, the CPI-M district committee has deplored the merger of KK line in newly formed Rayagada Division.

Describing the move to retain Waltair Division in the new S Co R Zone as a ‘victory of the people’, CPI-M district secretary M. Jaggunaidu said that the decision to retain the Waltair Division headquarters also in Visakhapatnam, was a result of the struggles by the Left parties, people’s representatives, railway trade unions, people of north Andhra, and people’s representatives of the region over the years. He commended all sections of the people who were part of the struggle for the railway zone and divisional headquarters.

He, however, said that the Modi government has not stopped its vindictive attitude against Visakhapatnam and North Andhra. This was evident from its decision on its unscientific bifurcation of Waltair Division. Of the 1,090 km extent of the existing Waltair Division, 680 km was merged with Rayagada Division in Odisha State. This includes the Kothavalasa-Kirandul (KK) Line, which plays a key role in the transportation of raw materials and finished goods to and from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), Visakhapatnam Port, HPCL and several other public and private sector industries in Visakhapatnam city.

A major chunk of the annual revenue of ₹10,500 crore comes to Waltair Division from the KK Line. The handing over of KK Line to Odisha was sacrificing the interests of Visakhapatnam and North Andhra. Apart from monetary loss, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Visakhapatnam Port would have issues in the allocation of rakes for the movement of cargo.

Further, Araku, which has earned the epithet of ‘Andhra Ooty’ would go to Rayagada Division in Odisha. This would also affect the development of tourism in A.P. Mr. Jaggunaidu deplored the attitude of the TDP-JSP-BJP Alliance leaders for their silence on the ‘injustice’ being done to Visakhapatnam and North Andhra, while claiming credit for the retention of Waltair Division headquarters in Visakhapatnam as their success.

Demanding that the Alliance leaders should respond on the issue, he said that the CPI-M has decided to stage a protest at Visakhapatnam Railway Station in this regard on February 8. CPI-M district leaders B. Padma and V. Krishna Rao were present at the media conference.