Maximum speed of 100 kmph :

Southern rail track ready by 2012

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The upgrading of the southern rail track from Colombo to Matara is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

According to the report by the External Resources Department titled “Towards an emerging economy in Asia”, the project which is now in progress is estimated to cost US$ 212.4 million. The Government of India has opened a line of credit of US$ 167.4 million through the EXIM Bank of India for the project while the remaining US$ 45 million is financed by the Sri Lankan Government.

The track from Colombo to Matara will be upgraded for trains to travel at a maximum speed of 100 kmph.

Two Indian State-owned companies IRCON and RITES are supplying the locomotives and track laying machinery for the Colombo-Matara track.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Government through the EXIM Bank of China has provided a concessionary loan of US$ 102.5 million to procure 13 diesel multiple units (DMUs) for Sri Lanka Railways.

These locomotive units specially designed for Sri Lanka Railways will be deployed for the main line, Kelani Valley line and for tourist transporation.

The new units are expected to increase the average speed of trains from 40 kmph to 80 kmph and express trains could commute from Colombo to Galle within two hours, the report said.

A spokesman for the External Resources Department of the Finance Ministry said this procurement would improve the passenger service of Sri Lanka Railways by adding 13 DMUs to its present fleet.