India’s Ircon International wins $91 million deal to rebuild part of Northern railway

• 128 kilometre-long stretch track from Mahawa to Omanthai

The Government this week decided to award a contract to rebuild a 128 kilometre-long stretch of rail track worth $ 91.3 million to India’s Ircon International Ltd.

According to the proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, the track, stretching from Mahawa to Omanthai and using funds from an Indian government loan, is aimed at improving part of the Northern railway line, a statement released by the Government Information Department said. 

The project aims to rehabilitate the rail track to enable running trains at a 100 km/h speed with heavier loads, and to ensure efficient, safe, and comfortable transport service for passengers and freight, the statement said.