Purandeswari opposes KK Line merger with Rayagada Divn

In response to a report published in The Pioneer titled “Public fury erupts over KK Line transfer to Odisha,” BJP Andhra Pradesh unit president Daggubati Purandeswari on Sunday expressed strong concerns regarding the decision to merge the Kothavalasa-Kirandul (KK) line with the newly formed Rayagada Division of East Coast Railway.
Purandeswari, along with leaders from the party’s Visakhapat-nam district unit, took up the matter with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasizing the strategic and economic significance of the KK line. She pointed out that the railway line generates an annual revenue exceeding Rs 10,500 crore for the Waltair Division and plays a crucial role in the transportation of raw materials and finished goods to major public sector industrial establishments in Visakhapatnam, including the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, NTPC, and Hindustan Shipyard.
The movement of essential minerals like iron ore, bauxite, and coal through this railway line is vital to sustaining the region’s industrial operations.
Addressing concerns raised by opposition parties, particularly the Left, Purandeswari clarified that BJP leaders had discussed the matter in detail with the Railway Minister and formally submitted a letter seeking reconsideration of the merger. She further stated that Minister Vaishnaw assured them that the issue would be reviewed in light of the economic and logistical implications for Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed merger has triggered widespread reactions from various political and public stakeholders. Several trade unions, industrial representatives, and civil society organizations have voiced their opposition, arguing that shifting the KK line to the Rayagada Division could weaken the economic interests of Visakhapatnam. Additionally, leaders from different political parties have urged the Centre to reconsider the decision, citing concerns over the potential administrative and financial impact on the Waltair Division.
The BJP state leadership’s intervention highlights the broader debate surrounding railway division reorganizations and their implications for regional development. Many view the move as part of a larger restructuring plan initiated by the Indian Railways, but local leaders and citizens insist that such decisions should not come at the cost of economic stability and regional progress. With tensions mounting, all eyes are now on the Railway Ministry’s response and the possible reconsideration of the merger decision.