Pallai to be connected to Northern rail network soon

The re-constructed railway line from Omanthai to Kilinochchi was commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently. The reconstructed track was the first segment of the Omanthai - Kankesanthurai line. The second segment of 30 km, from Kilinochchi to Pallai, is now being readied to be added to the railway network of the island.

General Manager, IRCON International Ltd., S.L. Gupta confirmed that the track would soon be completed and that a fully-fledged trial run will be conducted during this month. "Sri Lanka Railways will be able to take over the section immediately after this trial run and all of us at IRCON are extremely happy that yet another segment of IRCON's most important venture in Sri Lanka, namely the Northern Railway Project, will soon be completed".

Gupta attributed the achievement of their schedules and deadlines to the hard work of his team of railway professionals. He also thanked Sri Lanka Railway officials as well as the CECB for their assistance and support in achieving their goals.

IRCON International Ltd, a state-owned construction firm of India, which is executing the 252 km long Northern Railway Project in Sri Lanka under the lines of credit extended by the Government of India, has so far completed the Omanthai - Kilinochchi track (62 km) and the Medawachchiya - Madhu Road track (43 km) of the Northern Railway lines.

These railway tracks under construction boast a speed potential of 100 kmph and mark Sri Lanka Railway's transition to a durable, cost effective and minimal maintenance, modern railway track. The other sections of the Northern Railway project, from Madhu Road to Talaimannar Pier (63 km) and Pallai to Kankesanthurai (56 km) are also progressing on schedule.