(a) the details of the Zones/Divisions created by the Railways during the last three years along with their status including division with Bhagalpur as headquarter and at Singrauli under Jabalpur division;
(b) whether the Railways propose to create a new railway zone for the Andhra Pradesh in view of recent bifurcation of the State; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): No new Zones/Divisions have been created by the Railways during the last three years. The proposal for creation of Singrauli division was not found feasible by the Ministry of Railways. The proposal for creation of a new Division with headquarters at Bhagalpur has been dropped as the same was not found viable.
(b)&(c): Item 8 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 stipulates that “Indian Railways shall, within six months from the appointed day, examine establishing a new Railway zone in the successor State of Andhra Pradesh and take an expeditious decision thereon”. A committee of Senior Officers from Railways had been constituted to examine, amongst other issues, the feasibility of creation of the new Railway zone in the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh. This Committee has recently submitted its report which is under consideration in the Ministry of Railways.