Committee to probe environment impact from Northern rail line

Disna Mudalige

Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha has proposed the appointment of a special committee to control the impact on forest cover in the Northern Province due to Northern Railway line development work.

Sections of the Northern Railway line from Vavuniya to Kankasanthurei and from Madhu to Talei Mannar are to be reconstructed. An Indian Company held a discussion with the minister on the work relating to the first phase of this project.

The total length of the railway line is 250 km. During the meeting, the minister pointed out that a committee comprising representatives from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and Forest Conservation Department should be appointed to inspect the project work. He said field visits should be made by the members of the Committee to estimate the environmental impact of the project and propose alternative means to avoid possible environmental damage. The minister also said the committee report should be prepared in coordination with the relevant company within two weeks. He observed that the development targets should be achieved in a manner that causes minimal harm to the environment.

He stressed that the forest reserves should remain untouched, adding that constructions of the railway line should be carried out in a manner that cause least impact on forests in the Northern Province. He said the forest cover in the North largely benefits the lives of the people. Ministry Secretary B M U D Basnayake, Forest Conservator General K P Ariyadasa, GSMB Director General S P Peiris, representatives of the CEA, Transport Ministry and Railway Department and Director Board of the Indian company participated.