Wheels move for Madhu Talaimannar railway reconstruction

Irangika RANGE

The Railway Department will begin reconstruction of the Madu-Talaimannar railway line shortly.

IRCON International Limited (Ministry of Railways, India) has undertaken the contract to reconstruct the section between Madu and Talaimannar which was signed during the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's official visit to India recently.

A Sri Lanka Railways spokesman said the total estimated cost for the project is US $150 million. The route length is 63 kilometres which is expected to be completed within two years.

He said the rail track in the North destroyed by the LTTE will be restored by the Government under the Uthuru Mithuru project.

"A new railway track and signal system will be installed to provide a better service to the North," he said. He said initial steps to lay the railway track and construct bridges, culverts and platforms have already been taken and equipment will be dispatched to the sites soon.

Five crossing stations in Murunkan, Mannar, Pesali, Talaimamnnar, Talaimannar Pier and three sub stations in Mathottam, Thirukeswaram and Thoddaveli will be newly reconstructed under this project.