Medawachchiya - Madhu railway line to reopen
Irangika Range
The re-constructed Medawachchiya - Madhu railway line aimed at
facilitating devotees travelling for the historic Madhu Church feast in
August this year, will be opened this month,Transport Minister Kumara
Welgama told the Daily News.
Minister Welgama said the reconstruction of the Medawachchiya- Madhu
railway line project funded by the Indian government has been completed
on schedule.
“Construction work was carried out by IRCON International Limited, a
government entity under the Ministry of Railways, India and has been
funded as a part of US $800 million Line of Credit, which has been
extended by the Indian government on concessional terms,” he said.
“A trial-run was conducted recently on the reconstructed railway
track between Medawachchiya and Madhu railway track, covering a distance
of 43 km.
“Sri Lanka Railway, CECB and Ircon officers participated on the trial
run, which commenced from the Medawachchiya station and ended at the
newly-constructed Madhu station. “The trial-run was comfortable and
successful,“ the Minister added.
The reconstructed railway track has been designed for a maximum speed
of 120 kmph.
This railway line was completely destroyed during the terrorist
conflict which prevented passengers from using it. With the completion
of the railway line, those going to the Madhu Shrine will be able to
travel by train from Colombo. Minister Welgama said Sri Lanka signed a
commercial agreement with India last year to reconstruct the Northern
Railway Line from Medawachchiya to Talaimannar, destroyed by the LTTE
terrorists. He said that reconstruction work was carried out in two
phases.
Under the first phase, the 43 kilometre track from Medawachchiya to
Madhu has been reconstructed at a cost of US $ 81.3 million. The stretch
of railway line from Madhu to Thalaimannar will be built at a cost of US
$ 149.74 million. The Minister said the reconstruction of the
Medawachchiya-Talaimannar railway line is a symbol of friendship between
India and Sri Lanka. |
