Northern railway on track once again
Ariya RUBASINGHE
It is known that in the past people were able to travel by train to
Thalaimannar and proceed to Danushkodi in India by boat by purchasing a
ticket of Rs. 360. During that period, a majority of those who travelled
in this manner were Sinhalese and Muslims. They took coconut oil, soap,
spices etc to South India and on their return brought sarees, sarongs,
aluminium products etc. As they were able to travel by train to
Thalaimannar and take about 100 kgs of items as cargo, the bartering
trade at that time was a very profitable one.
The dilapidated peer, buildings with name boards - Sri Lanka Customs,
Thalaimannar and the storage complex prove that at that time this area
was filled with people.
|
Workers
engaged in construction activities of
Talimannar-Medawachchiya railway line. |
This peaceful lifestyle and trading atmosphere vanished from this
country due to brutal terrorism. People in the area told us that the
last time a train travelled to Thalaimannar was in 1990.
I still remember when I was working at the Fisheries Department
during the 1970-75 period, I travelled to Mannar and Jaffna on official
duties in a sleeping compartment in the train in First Class. After
getting into the night mail train from the Fort Railway Station and
taking dinner and a dessert from the railway canteen, it was possible to
sleep in the train comfortably and wake up the following morning in
Jaffna or Mannar.
Terrorism not only destroyed human lives but also this train journey
and the railway stations as well.
The fine railway stations which existed at that time were covered
with forests later and sometimes have become places infested with
landmines. The rail tracks have been removed and used for various
construction and other activities.
After establishing peace in the country, the present government under
the Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future, started work in 2011 on
the reconstruction of the Colombo-Medawachchi-Thalaimannar and Jaffna
railway tracks and stations.
The first segment of the Medawachchi-Thalaimannar railway line, the
Medawachchi-Madu sector, is 43 milometres. It covers three main railway
stations and 19 railway crossings. For the construction of this sector
of the railway line, US $ 81.30 million will be spent under the loan
assistance programme of the Indian government. The project started in
2011 and is expected to be completed in 2013. It is believed that this
railway line can be used for the 2013 Madu Church Festival.
Already, the ground laying work has completed and at present fixing
of concrete slabs and rail track is being carried out.
Madu to Thalaimannar Jetty
This is the last segment of the Colombo-Thalaimanner railway line and
it covers a distance of 63 kilometres. This segment has been totally
destroyed. It has eight railway stations and 39 railway crossings. For
the construction of this sector, US $ 149.74 million will be spent under
the loan assistance programme of the Indian government and the
reconstruction work of this sector started in 2011. At present, demining
near the railway line is complete. It is expected to complete the work
of this segment in 2014. By that time, the dream of travelling from
Colombo to Thalaimannar will become a reality.
Omanthai to Palali
This segment has a distance of 90.5 kms and it has 67 railway
crossings. Surveying and demining is complete and laying of the tracks
in this stretch has also commenced. The construction of the track which
started last year is expected to be complete within three years. The
cost of this segment will amount to US $ 185.35 million and the project
is being carried out under the loan assistance programme of the Indian
government.
Palaly to Kankesanthurai
This stretch of the railway line has a distance of 55 kms. Jungle
clearing and grubbing for the construction of this railway line is
complete.
Details surveying is in progress and the project is expected to
commence this year and be completed in two years.
The construction of this 55 kms is estimated to cost US $ 146.51
million and it is also carried out under the loan assistance programme
of the Indian government.
Restoration of signalling
Work on the restoration of signalling and telecommunication system
from Anuradhapura to Kankesanthurai with a distance of 208 kms and
Medawachchiya to Talaimannar pier with a distance of 105 kms is
underway.
Work which started this year is expected to be complete within three
years at a cost of US $ 86.53 million under the loan assistance from the
Indian government.
Source : Department of Railways
The writer is Director General, Media Centre for National
Development
|