Kelani Valley Line to be developed
The Sri Lanka Railway Department’s General Manager Lalithasuru Gunaruwan says his Department will begin development of the Kelani Valley line next year.
The line, which runs up to Avissawella, will be upgraded using foreign aid.
Mr. Gunaruwan says that the thousands of encroachers who have set up houses close to the railway have already been told to evacuate. A court order will be made to remove those who do not leave voluntarily.
The Kelani Valley line was originally laid for narrow gauge trains and needs reduction of bends and removal of adjacent unauthorized constructions to improve service. Most of the new locomotives cannot run on the line due to its condition. Recently, commuters held a massive protest demanding an upgrade of the service.
Source: Colombo Page
Tags: commuters, foreign aid, illegal structures, kelani valley line, locomotive, massive protest, narrow gauge trains, railway department
