The Indian railways on Friday signed a $149 million agreement for reconstruction of a 56-km railway line between Pallai and Kankesanthurai in northern Sri Lanka and said it hopes to complete the project in two years.
This is the fifth project for the railways in northern Sri Lanka. The agreement was signed between B.A.P. Ariyaratne, general manager, Sri Lankan railways and Mohan Tiwari, managing director, IRCON, a unit of Indian railways.
IRCON is executing other railway restoration projects like the 106-km section of Medawachchiya-Talaimannar and the 90-km Omanthai-Pallai section, besides supply and installation of signalling and telecommunications systems on the entire railway network in northern Sri Lanka.
Officials said completion of these projects will boost the economic development of the northern region and provide an efficient transportation system covering the entire rail system from north to south Sri Lanka. While IRCON completed the Galle-Matara section of coastal railway line covering 42 km in February 2011, work on Kalutara-Galle section will be completed by March 31, 2012, said officials. Among those present at the signing of the agreement were Sri Lankan Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Ashok K. Kantha. — IANS