Sri Lanka to embark on first elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT)
View(s):Sri Lanka is embarking on the first elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT) line between Colombo and Malabe as a remedy to heavy traffic congestion in Colombo, abandoning an earlier plan for a monorail system.
Light rail is a metropolitan electric railway system which operates single cars or short trains along exclusive right of way at ground level, aerial structures in subways or occasionally on streets and to board and discharge passengers at track or car floor level.
The Economic Management Committee (EMC) under a directive by the Prime Minister has decided to recommend this system (first initiated in February 2016) and the Cabinet has approved the project which is to be funded with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance.
This was highlighted in the Business Times in a February 28 2016 story headlined “Sri Lanka’s monorail plan shelved; light rail on the cards”.
The preparatory study by JICA for the project kicked off this week.
The study will address key aspects such as current and projected traffic patterns, environmental and social impacts, economic viability, financial implications, optimisation of the route, inter-modal connectivity, implementation schedules and operation and maintenance systems, JICA media release revealed.
The approximately 25 km route covered by the study runs through Malabe – Battaramulla – Rajagiriya – Borella – Union Place – Kollupitiya and Fort.
As a more detailed study was conducted on this route by JICA during the feasibility study for monorail it would be possible to shorten the period of the new study by using the same data to the extent possible.
The final optimum route would be determined with special focus on environmental and social considerations, and inter-connectivity with other public transport modes, JICA said.-(Bandula)