SAARC Transport Ministers to finalise Indo-Lanka rail link

Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: Transport Ministers of South Asian countries will meet in Colombo next year to finalise the proposed rail corridor between India and Sri Lanka.

According to the Transport Ministry, the proposals to construct the rail link and to commence a ferry service between the two countries will be among the highlights of the second SAARC Transport Ministers' Conference to be held in Sri Lanka in March next year.

"During the first SAARC Transport Ministers' Conference held in New Delhi last month, we proposed that the next Conference be held in Sri Lanka. This proposal has received the unanimous approval of all member states.

The members will make their final decision on the proposed rail corridor and ferry service during the conference," Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

The rail corridor between the two countries is proposed to be constructed from Colombo to Chennai, while the ferry service will operate from Colombo to Tuticorin.

As an initial step, it has been proposed to resume the ferry service from Cochin to Talai Mannar which operated around 25 years ago, following which the service will be extended from Colombo to Tuticorin on either side.

The Minister pointed out that the two proposals if implemented will be a catalyst for bi-lateral relations and the historic links between Sri Lanka and India.

"We also expect that these projects will greatly enhance the social and cultural development in both countries. In addition, the Conference will provide a great opportunity for us to learn from the experiences of other South Asian countries regarding developing the transport sector," he added.