Vizagvision Visakhapatnam :SAFETY TO REMAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF SOUTH COAST RAILWAY: GM SHRI SANDEEP MATHURHistoric Milestone in Indian Railways: South Coast Railway Begins New JourneyPHODs and DRMs Reaffirm Commitment to Safe, Reliable and Customer-Centric Railway ServicesNew system map of SCoR unveiledA historic chapter was added to the annals of Indian Railways with the commencement of operations of the newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR), headquartered at Visakhapatnam today i.e. 01.06.2026. Marking this momentous occasion, General Manager, South Coast Railway, Shri Sandeep Mathur, extended a warm welcome to officers and staff joining the new zone.Shri Sandeep Mathur, GM, stated that the formation of South Coast Railway aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency, strengthening operational effectiveness, and improving passenger and freight services. He emphasized that the new zone would play a pivotal role in accelerating infrastructure growth and fostering economic development across the region.During the meeting, the System Map of South Coast Railway was formally unveiled, showcasing the jurisdiction and network of the newly created zone. He stated that creating of a new zone is a rare event in history of Indian Railways. It signifies not only administrative restructuring but also a renewed commitment to efficiency, development and enhanced service delivery.Underscoring the paramount importance of railway safety, General Manager convened a comprehensive Safety Review Meeting, making it clear that safety would remain the foremost priority of the new zone. Shri Sandeep Mathur stressed that while operational performance and infrastructure development are essential, safety must continue to be the guiding principle in every aspect of railway functioning.Divisional Railway Managers gave presentation on the Divisions that are integrating with the new Zone, elaborate discussions on asset management, human resource management, challenges to be addressed and resolved etc were highlighted in the meeting.The Safety Review Meeting was attended by the Shri Lalit Bohra, Divisional Railway Manager, Visakhapatnam Division; Shri Mohit Sonakiya, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division; Smt Sudeshna Sen, Divisional Railway Manager, Guntur Division; Shri Chandra Shekhar Gupta Divisional Railway Manager, Guntakal Division, along with Principal Heads of Departments (PHODs) and senior officers from various branches. Detailed discussions were held on operational safety, infrastructure maintenance, safety audits, accident prevention measures, crew counseling, inspection drives, and strengthening of safety practices across the zone. General Manager directed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure strict adherence to safety protocols to achieve the highest standards of safe train operations.Shri Sandeep Mathur expressed confidence that the collective efforts of officers and staff, Team Work, would enable South Coast Railway to emerge as one of the most efficient and progressive railway zones in the country. He called upon all employees to work with dedication, teamwork, and a shared commitment towards delivering safe, reliable, and customer-friendly railway services.The operationalization of South Coast Railway marks the beginning of a transformative journey for rail transportation, paving the way for enhanced connectivity, improved services, and sustained development.

Vizagvision New Delhi: Raksha Mantri and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Defence Minister co-chair second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue Emphasise on enhanced defence industrial collaboration & cooperation in futuristic technology researchIndia & Australia affirm stronger regional cooperation for a free, peaceful & prosperous Indo-PacificRaksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles co-chaired the second edition of India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on June 01, 2026. The two Ministers welcomed thesignificant progress in the bilateral relationship, and reflected on the enhanced consultation & cooperation since the inaugural edition of the dialogue on October 09, 2025.The Ministers advanced their Prime Ministers’ long-term vision for collaboration between the two countries to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries’ security, and make an important contribution to regional peace & security. They welcomed the progress towards realisingtheir Prime Ministers’ commitment to renew and strengthen the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation.The two sides discussed advancements in bilateral maritime security cooperation and efforts to finalise the Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. They agreed to progress the collaborative maritime domain awareness activities by maritime patrol aircraft and explore opportunities to enhance undersea domain awareness. They also encouraged further cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command.The Ministers affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with regional partners to help maintain a free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and their strong support for unimpeded trade in the region & other lawful uses of the sea consistent with international law, particularly the 1982United Nations convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).India and Australia, as co-leads of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security, look forward to jointly hosting a Search & Rescue and tabletop Exercise at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Chennai in June 2026 to strengthen maritimesafety and security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. The two sides undertook to explore arrangements to enhance procedural interoperability for exercises and operations, building on the2020 Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement. They also agreed to continue aircraft deployment from each other’s territories to build operational familiarity. The Ministers announced that India and Australia would begin developing a Memorandum ofUnderstanding regarding the Provision of Defence Articles and Defence Services as the next step in deepening defence industrial collaboration. They underscored the strategic importance of defenceindustrial collaboration and engagement, while welcoming Australia’s first defence trade mission to India and Australia-India Defence Industry Roundtable, both in October 2025, as a reflection ofgrowth in the bilateral defence industry relationship. The two sides agreed to explore further exchanges including through the Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research, and Materiel. Both the Ministers looked forward to exploring future defence science and technology research cooperation in new technology areas like sensor technologies. The Australian Deputy Prime Minister invited India to participate in the 2026 Australian Defence Science, Technology, andResearch Summit.The Ministers appreciated the growing engagement between their defence forces, and looked forward to India’s enhanced participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027. They welcomedAustralia’s participation in India’s Exercise Milan in February 2026, and India’s participation in Australia’s Exercise Kakadu in March 2026. They looked forward to their countries’ participation in each other’s multinational air exercises in 2026, including operationalising the bilateral Implementing Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling at Exercise Pitch Black. The two sides noted with satisfaction the expansion of military cooperation into new areas.They welcomed the evolution of Army Exercise Austrahind this year to focus on amphibious combat and littoral manoeuvre. Australia welcomed India’s inaugural participation in Operation Render Safe2026.