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Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 07.10 GMT |
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Medawachchiya-Madhu rail track to be rebuilt |
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A contract has been signed between the Transport Ministry and the Indian government-owned IRCON International to rebuild the Medawachchiya-Madhu rail track.
The construction work will cost USD 81.3 million, and funds will be used from a soft loan given by the Indian government. The project, which includes six railway stations, is expected to be completed by end-2011.
IRCON had already begun work on upgrading the southern railway corridor, a 42 km section between the towns of Galle and Matara with the project to be completed by December ahead of schedule.
The Indian Firm had signed two agreements earlier for similar type of track work between Omanthai and Pallai on the Northern line and a section from Madhu Road to Talaimannar in the North-West. The Madhu-Talaimannar section is expected to cost 149.7 million dollars.
1,200 km track, excluding the North needs to be repaired and upgraded, in order to increase speed from 15 kmph to 75-80 kmph to run more trains and carry more passengers to reduce traffic congestion on the roads, Minister of Transport Mr. Kumara Welgama said.
Indian High Commissioner, Ashok Kantha who signed the agreement said that the rail projects will be funded with an 800 million US dollar Indian credit line promised during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi.
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