All railway tracks will be upgraded soon

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama assured that all main railway tracks in the country including the upcountry and Northern railway lines will be modernized within the next four years to increase the speed level.

Minister Welgama made this assurance at a ceremony held at Matara Railway station premises to coincide with the opening of the newly upgraded express coastal railway line from Galle to Matara.

The new express railway track was completed at a cost of US $ 36 million with a grant extended by the Indian Government as a soft loan. The inaugural train travelled 43 km between Galle and Matara within a time period of 35 minutes. Minister Kumara Welgama, the Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and several officials of the Ircon Company of India who constructed the track also travelled in the inaugural train.On the way from Galle to Matara, People on either side of the railway track greeted the inaugural train by waiving lion flags.

The Minister said the high speed coastal railway track will thereafter be extended from Galle to Colombo under two stages.

"In addition, the Government will also construct the most needed Southern line from Matara to Kataragama. The Kandy-Colombo railway track will also be upgraded to enable locals and foreigners to travel between these two destinations within a short period of time."

Minister Welgama further said Government has made arrangements to import twenty power sets from China within the next six months and three power sets have already arrived in the Colombo port.

High Commissioner of India Asok Kantha said the upgraded coastal railway line will immensely benefit people to cut down travel time. This project will also strengthen the close co-operation between the two countries. He said steps have also been taken to complete the Northern Railway line from Omanthai to Kankasanturai before schedule.