TDP MPs, mins observe fast seeking new railway zone

Visakhapatnam: Telugu Desam Party MPs on Wednesday observed a day-long fast demanding that the Centre immediately establish a new railway zone with headquarters here.

The MPs said they would stall Parliament in the coming monsoon session if the Centre immediately did not fulfil the promise of setting up the new railway zone.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa, ministers Ch Ayyanna Patrudu and Ganta Srinivasa Rao too joined the fast in solidarity with the MPs. The TDP MPs staged the protest near the railway station here demanding

that the Centre immediately establish a new railway zone as per the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

They accused the Narendra Modi government of not "fulfilling" the promises made in the Reorganisation Act.

Despite repeated pleas and negotiations over the last four years, the Centre did not move a step forward to set up the new railway zone, they alleged.

"We have been fighting, both inside and outside Parliament, for the implementation of the promises made in the Reorganisation Act.

The Centre is still singing the same song that establishment of the railway zone is under consideration," Anakapalli MP M Srinivasa Rao said.

Waltair (Visakhapatnam) Division was one of the highest revenue generating regions for Indian Railways, he said.

The Centre did not fulfill any promise made in the Reorganisation Act, Hindupur MP Nimmala Kistappa said.

"Be it the Visakhapatnam railway zone, Dugarajapatnam port or Kadapa steel plant...no major promise has been honoured.