Indian help for railway sector
The Indian Government has pledged US $ 168 million to Sri Lanka to develop the island’s railways sector.
The financial assistance, provided under the Indian Credit Line (ICL) will be used to upgrade Sri Lanka’s coastal railway line hit by the 2004 tsunami and to strengthen the operating fleet of the Railways Department.
Though the coastal train services were restored 57 days after the tsunami more rehabilitation work remains along the coastal line including modernizing the colour light signal system, laying of concrete sleepers and rail tracks. The Indian Rail construction Company will assist the CGR in the rehabilitation work, the release said.
It was earlier planned to rehabilitate the stretch between Matara and Galle but subsequent to a Cabinet decision it was decided to rehabilitate the stretch from Kalutara onwards.
Accordingly, the existing rail track from Kalutara to Matara is to be replaced by an improved track made of concrete sleepers and new rails, while a new, advanced signal system will also be installed. The Indian Rail Construction Company has taken up the renovation project estimated to cost US $ 78 million.
“Once the proposed reconstruction is completed, we will be able to operate trains on the coastal line at a speed of 100 miles per hour, thus cutting down the present travel time.
Although the project was to be implemented in stages, the Transport Minister was able to intervene and obtain Cabinet approval to start work on the entire track simultaneously,” a Ministry spokesman said, adding that they expected to launch the project within this year.
A team of Indian railway engineers will arrive in the Island to train locals on the rehabilitation work. They will be stationed at Alutgama, Galle and Matara.The agreement on the new rehabilitation work was to be signed yesterday.
Among the other benefits to be received under the ICL are 20 new diesel electrical power sets and three engines for the Railways Department, to be purchased from Rail India Technical and Economy (RITE). Three locomotives required for track maintenance and maintenance machinery worth US $ two million will also be provided under the scheme.
The agreement relating to the supply contract was signed between RITE representatives and Transport Ministry Secretary Thilak Kollure yesterday, in the presence of Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
“Sri Lanka’s railway sector is passing a historic period by benefiting from the highest number of grants and loans it has ever received in history. Year 2008 is therefore a critical year for railway development. I am confident that we could turn the train service into the most efficient and most profitable mode of passenger and goods transport in Sri Lanka,” Minister Alahapperuma said.
by Rajmi MANATUNGA
Source: DailyNews, The Island
Tags: coastal line, colour light signals, concrete sleepers, indian government, indian rail, indian railway, kalutara, light signal, matara, ministry spokesman, rail construction, railway engineers, railway line, rehabilitation work, renovation project, signal system, train services, transport minister
