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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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GMR praises rail rehabilitation Solidarity and commitment of Railway workers were able to rebuild 160 km railway track damaged by the deadly Tsunami waves in 55 days was a commendable achievement, General Manager of Railway Department Priyal de Silva told the Sunday Observer. He said that the Department has a very committed workforce to complete any goal in a short period of time provided they are given a right leadership. "Every rupee we received for rehabilitation of the railway track spent very productively", he said. Silva said that still the coastal railway track has to be upgraded to meet international standard. However, donors have pledged Rs. 38 billion (US$ 380 Mn) as a grant and soft loan to improve the Sri Lankan railway. The Department intends to rehabilitate the tracks to increase maximum speed to 100 kmph, install new tracks and signalling system, new line constructions to provide double railway tracks from Negombo to Matara and replacement of damaged infrastructure from pledged assistance. Meanwhile, the Road Development Authority with the assistance of other Government authorities temporarily repaired roads and bridges within two weeks to ensure functioning of the country's road net work. However, 1615 kms of roads and 23 bridges were damaged by the disastrous waves paralysing the transport system. Donors have pledged to grant Rs.31 billion to repair and modernise coastal roads from Panadura to Jaffna. Sources said that already Rs. 10 billion of the pledged amount has been used for the purpose. (JSN) |
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