Kelani Valley route:

Move to minimise travel time

Irangika RANGE

Transport Authorities have accelerated the repair and widening of the Kelani Valley rail track from Colombo to Awissawella to provide faster and more frequent service to thousands of office workers who arrive in Colombo from various destinations along the route.

Twelve train services are operated on the track at present. But, once the improvements are made and tracks modernized, a number of train journeys could be increased along the route," a Transport Ministry's Spokesman said.

Improvements to this track will save the time of office workers allowing them to reach their working places punctually. He further said the number of people travelling by train had increased by six percent following the major railway development activities being taking place across the country by the Government.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has advised transport authorities to take further measures to improve train services to benefit the commuters in the country.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama on his inspection tour of the Kelani Valley rail track recently observed that unauthorized structures beside and in proximity to the Kelani Valley track was the main reason for the slow journey between Colombo and Avissawella. This situation had caused train delays causing numerous difficulties to train commuters.

It is revealed that a 61.5- kilometer run between Maradana and Avissawella takes around 3 hours.

"However, the travel time of trains will be reduced after the renovation," he added.