Maho-Omanthai railway line will be reconstructed after 115 years | Daily News

Maho-Omanthai railway line will be reconstructed after 115 years

India’s IRCON International Limited and  Sri Lanka Railways yesterday signed an agreement to rehabilitate the 133km long Maho-Omanthai stretch on the Northern railway line which is 115 years old.

Once this process is completed, Jaffna bound trains will be able to travel at 120kmph providing safe, efficient and comfortable transportation for the passengers in the Northern Province.

The project will be implemented in two stages from Maho to Anuradhapura and from Anuradhapura to Omanthai at a total cost of US$ 91.26 million provided under the  Indian Line of Credit.  

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranathunga addressing the gathering said it is difficult to maintain this section since there were no major modifications for a long period. It is only the required based repairs carried out. But the section needs to be upgraded to a new and modern standard due to aging and old features.

At present, trains are running with speed restrictions of 40kmph in this section. The travel time too between Maho and Omanthai is about three hours with a maximum sanctioned speed of 60kmph.

The section will be upgraded with new signaling and telecommunication works. Twelve crossing stations and seven halt stations will be modified and a new crossing station will be constructed between Medawachchiya to Vavuniya. 218 culverts and 90 bridges will be repaired or reconstructed as required. This will help to make the journey more comfortable, convenient and shorter the travel time,” he said. The project is expected to be completed by 36 months.

Maho to Anuradhapura section with a track length of 66Km will be closed for six months and Anuradhapura to Vavuniya section with a track length of 49km will be closed for 5 months. A combine rail-bus service will be implemented during the closure period. Vavuniya to Omanthai section with a track length of 13 km will be rehabilitated without closing the track.


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