Four new rail tracks to improve transport
by Uditha KUMARASINGHE
Recognising the need for a sustainable National Transport Policy the
Government has decided to construct four rail tracks to ensure an
efficient transport service to attract passengers and goods to the
railway.
Under the project, the Transport Ministry will build four rail tracks
from Matara to Kataragama (127 Kms), Kurunegala to Habarana (80Kms),
Avissawella to Hambantota (225 Kms) and Panadura to Horana (18Kms), a
Transport Ministry spokesman told the Sunday Observer.
He said the Matara-Kataragama rail track will be constructed in three
phases 27Kms from Matara to Beliatta phase one, 73 Kms from Beliatta to
Weerawila phase two and 26 Kms from Weerawila to Kataragama phase three.
Rs. 810 million was allocated for the project last year and Rs. 328.5
million had been spent on the project in 2009, indicating a financial
saving of 40.55 percent. The project which is estimated to cost US$ 300
million is due to be completed by 2014.
The spokesman said construction work on the Kurunegala-Habarana rail
track is scheduled to commence this year. The Central Engineering
Consultancy Bureau has completed the feasibility study of the project.
In addition, the preliminary survey of the proposed rail track line has
been launched by the Survey Department.
The estimated cost of the project is US$ 225 million and it is
scheduled to be completed by year 2016.
The Avissawella-Hambantota rail track will be the longest rail track
among the new rail tracks. Construction work on the project will
commence soon and nearly 90 percent of the feasibility study has been
completed. The project which has been estimated to cost US$ 375 million
is expected to be completed by 2016.
He said construction work on Horana-Panadura rail track - about 18
Kms in length will commence in 2013. The estimated cost of the project
is US$53 million and it is scheduled to be completed by year 2017. The
feasibility study of the project has been entrusted to the University of
Moratuwa.
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