Koraput: In a major administrative overhaul, the railway ministry has announced that the new division at Rayagada under the East Coast Railway will become operational from June 1. The move follows the bifurcation of the existing Waltair division as part of a broader restructuring exercise.According to a notification issued by the railway board, the newly formed Rayagada division will cover key sections, including Koraput–Singapur Road, Kottavalasa–Kirandul (KK line), Kuneru–Theruvali and Gunupur–Paralakhemundi, spanning a total of 696 route kilometers. “As part of the reorganisation, the remaining portion of the Waltair division will be merged into the newly constituted South Coast Railway zone and renamed as the Visakhapatnam division,” the notification stated.The groundwork for the division had been laid earlier, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurating the project last year in Jan from New Delhi.Highlighting its significance, a senior railway official said the new division is expected to boost connectivity and economic activity in the mineral-rich and tribal-dominated region. “The Rayagada railway division will bring substantial benefits to the region by strengthening infrastructure and improving rail services. It reflects the govt’s focus on balanced regional development,” the official said.The division was originally carved out of the Waltair division in 2019, with an initial allocation of Rs 3 crore in the Union Budget for 2020–21. Spread over 125.78 acres across six locations near Rayagada railway station along National Highway-326, the division will feature modern infrastructure.The proposed divisional railway manager office will come up over 14.30 acres, equipped with facilities such as water bodies, a walking track, parking space for around 260 vehicles and a driver’s rest room. Additional land has been earmarked for railway police barracks and supporting offices.The announcement has been widely welcomed by local residents, who see it as a long-awaited step towards regional development. “This is a historic moment for Rayagada. For years, we have been demanding a separate division. It will not only improve train services but also create jobs and boost local businesses,” Tapan Rath, a local resident, said.