Rayagada, May 5: Rayagada is set to have its own railway division, with the Central Government issuing a gazette notification for its formation. The new Rayagada Division will become operational from June 1. The move is expected to strengthen rail connectivity, improve transportation services, and give a boost to economic growth in Odisha.

In a related development, a new South Coast Railway zone will also come into existence from June 1. The zone has been carved out by reorganising parts of the East Coast Railway and the South Central Railway. Its headquarters will be located in Visakhapatnam, as per the gazette notification.

As part of the restructuring, the Waltair Division has been split into two. One portion will form the Rayagada Division under the East Coast Railway, while the remaining part will be brought under the South Coast Railway zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam.