Tenders to be called for rail extension project

The Cabinet has shortlisted 12 project proponents for the proposed 127-kilometre Matara-Kataragama railway line extension project which will commence by the end of this year.

Director, Planning and Project Implementation Engineering Services, Ministry of Transport, G. J. C. Gunatilake said tenders will be called for shortlisted project proponents from Malaysia, India, China, Australia, Alaska, S. Korea and Japan.

Geological surveys on the suitability of soil and environmental studies have been done under the first stage of the project which is the 27-kilometre Matara-Beliatta stretch. Land has been acquired for the proposed railway line and tracks have been finalised for the project which will be completed by mid 2009.

He said the substructure of the 100 metre Nilwala railway bridge at Piladuwa Navimana will be completed by the end of September and the superstructure will be completed by the end of this year.

The railway line extension project which was launched early last year had to be delayed primarily due to bad weather conditions, he said.

The weight of an engine would be confined to around 96 tonnes while the wagon weight would be around 35 tonnes for trains plying on the new tracks.

Gunatilake said the extension of the Matara-Kataragama railway line will benefit a large number of families who under go enormous difficulties with regard to transportation and the new railway service will help farmers to transport their harvest and sell them on time.

He said there will be over 2,500 employment opportunities under the first stage of the railway line extension project.

The Kurunegala-Habarana via Dambulla, Habarana-Panadura and the Kelani Valley from Padukka to Hambantota and the other railway line extension projects are planned under the Mahinda Chintana development program.

The consultant for the project is the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) while the contractor is the State Engineering Corporation.

LF