GM, Railways inspects new track

Sri Lanka Railways, General Manager B. Aiyaratne made an inspection tour of the newly completed rail track between Medawachchiya and the Madhu road recently. He was accompanied by the Project Director, Sri Lanka Railways, M P L N Peiris and General Manager, Ircon International Limited, India, S L Gupta.

Ariyaratne and his team with Gupta.

Ariyaratne congratulated the project execution team for the timely completion of the work. He said that the opening of this segment of the 43 km of track, which is part of the Northern Rail Linking Project of 252 km, will fulfill the needs of the public who have been waiting long for the restoration of the rail link destroyed during the period of terrorism.

Ariyaratne who undertook a train journey during his visit, said that the reconstructed railway track was a modern line with a designed speed potential of 120 kmph. Due to the latest technologies and material used for the construction, Sri Lanka Railway has a durable railway track, with minimum maintenance.

General Manager of the construction agency, Ircon International Limited, Gupta, briefed the visiting team on the numerous advantages of the newly constructed track. Ariyaratne said he expected the balance tracks of the Northern Railway Projects to be completed on time. The other tracks under construction are from Omanthai to Kankasanthurai and Madhu road to Talaimannar pier.

The completed track is expected to transport pilgrims from various parts of the island up to the Madhu Road railway station for the feast in August this year.