Omanthai, Palai railway line construction in progress

Sandasen Marasinghe Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

The construction of the railway line from Omanthai to Palai is in progress, according to an answer tabled by Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament yesterday.

The stretch from Omanthai to Palai which is 87 km would be reconstructed at a cost of US $ 185 million. The Indian government will provide a concessionary loan, the document tabled by the Deputy Minister said.

Indian Ircon Company, a company belonging to the Indian government is constructing the section between Omanthai and Palai.

A proper tender procedure was followed in selecting the Indian Ircon Company to reconstruct the railway line from Omanthai to Palai, the tabled answer added.

Reconstruction of the Northern Railway line is a priority of the government. Therefore, it has decided to reconstruct this section expeditiously.

Accordingly, discussions were held with the Indian government at diplomatic level and a MoU was signed between the Indian Ircon Company and the Presidential Task Force. Thereby, construction work of the section from Omanthai to Palai was awarded to the Indian Ircon Company, the tabled answer said.