First stage between Galle and Matara:

Southern railway to be upgraded

Irangika RANGE

The Government will shortly commence upgrading of the southern coastal railway to enable trains to travel at over 100 km per hour.

The Indian Government has pledged US $ 168 million to Sri Lanka to implement a comprehensive project for upgrading the Colombo-Galle-Matara coastal railway line.

The first stage of the upgrading of the track would be between Galle and Matara. Therefore, we will suspend the train services between Galle and Matara for the next four months for renovation, a Transport Ministry Spokesman told the Daily News.

He said that the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Railways will commence the joint railway-bus services.

"We will operate a joint rail-bus from Galle station for the benefit of commuters travel to Matara," he said.

The coastal railway line development project which was suspended for several years is now back on track by overcoming the challenge of limiting the destination up to Matara for two hours despite the current travel time of over three hours.

The financial assistance, provided under the Indian Credit Line (ICL) will be used to upgrade the coastal railway line hit by the 2004 tsunami and to strengthen the operating fleet of the Railways Department.

The project covers upgrading the tracks, bridges, signaling and induction of new passenger trains. When completed, the revamped coastal railway-line system will substantially improve the rail services on the Colombo-Galle-Matara section and result in higher average speeds and an increased number in train services.

Accordingly, the upgrading of the rail track from Colombo to Matara is to be replaced by an improved track made of concrete sleepers and new rails, while a new, advanced signal system will also be installed.

In addition, two railway track maintenance units will also be set up in Kalutara and Aluthgama to maintain the high standards of the railway line.

Among the other benefits to be received under the ICL are 20 new diesel electrical power sets and three engines for the Railways Department, to be purchased from Rail India Technical and Economy (RITE). Three locomotives required for track maintenance and maintenance machinery worth US $ two million will also be provided under the scheme.

The Government passed a supplementary estimate of Rs. 4,750 million last Tuesday in Parliament to upgrade the coastal railway line and purchase power sets and engines for the Coastal railway line.

The agreement relating to the supply contract was signed between RITE representatives and the Transport Ministry recently.