Phase 2 of upgrading Northern railway line, kicks off

Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media of Sri Lanka – Dr. Bandula Gunawardena and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Santosh Jha has launched the 2nd phase of the project for track rehabilitation from Maho- Omanthai (128Km) being undertaken by an Indian Public Sector company, IRCON, under an Indian Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 318 million.

The rail track rehabilitation work at Galgamuwa Railway Station was ceremoniously launched yesterday (Dec. 07).

The cost of the entire project is USD 91.27 million and the 2nd phase from Maho to Anuradhapura is scheduled to be completed in a period of six months. 

State Minister of Mass Media – Mr. Shantha Bandara and senior officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport were also present at the event.

In his remarks, the Minister of Transport thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka, especially in the transport sector. Appreciating the work carried out by IRCON in Sri Lanka in the past few years, he called for greater Railway cooperation between the two countries.

The High Commissioner expressed happiness that as a long-standing development partner of Sri Lanka, India had executed projects for development and rehabilitation of Sri Lanka’s Northern and Southern Railway line over the past several years, in line with the priorities and requirements of the Government of Sri Lanka. He underscored the importance of modernization of Railways in enhancing mobility of goods and services in Sri Lanka thereby boosting economic activity.

India has provided over USD 1 billion in railway projects to Sri Lanka under five Indian LOCs, with IRCON contributing to modernization by reconstructing the Northern Province railway line network and upgrading the Southern line.

Via a contemporary signaling and telecommunication system, it has also helped to guarantee safety and dependability throughout a 330 km section of the railway line.