Modernized Coastal Railway Line opened
Sri Lanka’s modernised coastal railway line from Kalutara South to Aluthgama was opened to the public yesterday with the participation of the visiting Indian delegation.
Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama and Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha also attended the opening ceremony.
The newly renovated Southern coastal line from Colombo to Matara. is the country’s first high speed railway line and would facilitate trains to run at speed of 100 kn per hour.
The Indian government provided US$ 168m for the project while Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) was involved in the renovation process.
The Railway General Manager B.A.P. Ariyaratne said that the renovation will shorten the current travelling time of 3 hours and 40 minutes for the train ride from Colombo to Matara to 2 hours with the high speed train.
He also said that arrangements have been made to operate all normal and express trains on scheduled time tables between Maradana and Matara after opening of the railway line.
Source: news.lk
