The 133kilometers of Maho Omanthai trains along the 115-year-old Northern railway line signed yesterday by India’s IRCON International Limited and Sri Lanka Railways. Upon completion of this phase, trains bound to Jaffna can transport the passengers of the Northern Province safely, effectively and comfortably at 120 km / h.
This project will be implemented at a total of US$ 91.26 million in two phases between Maho and Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura and Omanthai supplied under the Indian credit scheme.
Arjuna Ranathunga, Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation, addressed the meeting, saying it is hard to keep this section because no major changes had been made for a long time. It is only necessary to carry out repairs. However, owing to aging and old characteristics the segment requires to be upgraded to a fresh and contemporary standard.
Trains in this segment currently run at speeds of 40 km / h. There is also a peak velocity of approximately 3 hours between Maho and Omanthai at 60kmph.
New signaling and telecommunications work will be upgraded to this chapter. The transition from Medawachchiya to Vavuniya will take place between twelve traversing stations and seven halt stations. The remediation or reconstruction of 218 slats and 90 bridges will be required. This helps create the trip more comfortable, comfortable and shorter, “he said. The project is scheduled for 36 months.
Six months of Maho to Anuradhapura will be closed and Anuradhapura to Vavuniya will be closed for 5 months, with a track length of 49 km. During the closing period, a combined service rail-bus is introduced. Without closing the track, Vavuniya to Omanthai will be restructured for a distance of 13 kilometers.
