India to fund upgrading of railway track of 130km from Maho to Omanthai

An agreement to upgrade the railway track from Maho to Omanthaiat at a cost of US$ 91.26 million was signed today between the IRCON International Limited and the Government today (July 18).

According to a statement issued by the Indian High Commission, the total length of the track that will be upgraded under the Indian concessional financing between Maho to Omanthai would be around 130 km.

This will includes 12 crossing stations, 7 halt stations, and 78 level crossings. This is the first time the track is being upgraded in 100 years. The project is expected to double the speed potential of railway track from the current speed of around 60 km to 120 km per hour, as well as reduce the maintenance costs.  

It is is also expected to improve the journey for passengers, and further contribute to the modernization Sri Lanka Railways, the statement said.

In June 2017, India signed a fresh Line of Credit Agreement for US $ 318 million for the development of the railway sector in Sri Lanka.

Under this Line of Credit, other projects that underway include procurement of 160 passenger coaches; up-grading of signal & telecommunication system from Maho to Anuradhapura; and setting up of a Railway Workshop in Rathmalana.

The contract agreement was signed by Mr. Sunil Kumar Choudhury, Chairman & Managing Director, IRCON International Limited and Mr. L.P.Jayampathy, Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka, in the presence of  Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka.

Mr. M.J. D. Fernando, General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways; Mr. S. L. Gupta, ED, IRCON, International Limited; and Ms. Suja K. Menon, Head of Economic & Commercial Wing, High Commission of India were also present.