IRCON to connect Pallai to Northern Railway network soon

Friday, 18 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A ballast train reached Pallai on 5 October 2013, achieving yet another milestone of the steadily progressing Northern Railway restoration project. The train, when it drove in from Killinochchi to reach Pallai, made history, giving hope to many thousands of residents of the area that the resumption of train services would soon recommence. According to the construction agency, Ircon International Ltd., the track works between Killinochchi and Pallai are fully completed, with a few finishing touches left to be completed shortly.

The reconstructed railway line from Omanthai to Kilinochchi was commissioned and dedicated to the public of Sri Lanka on 14 September 2013 by the President at a colourful ceremony held at the Killinochchi station yard. The reconstructed track was the first segment of the Omanthai - Kankasanthurai line. The second segment, Kilinochchi - Pallai, of approximately 30 kilometres is now being readied to be added to the railway network of the island nation. IRCON’s General Manager S.L. Gupta, who was present at Pallai on the afternoon when the train reached, confirmed that the track would soon be completed and that a fully fledged trial run will be conducted during the month of October. “Sri Lanka Railways will be able to take over the section immediately after this trial run and all of us at IRCON are extremely happy that yet another segment of IRCON’s most important venture in Sri Lanka, namely the Northern Railway Project will soon be completed”. Gupta attributed the achievement of their schedules and deadlines to the hard work rendered by his team of railway professionals. He also thanked Sri Lanka Railway officials as well as the CECB for their assistance and support in achieving their goals. IRCON International Ltd., a state owned construction firm of India, is executing the 252 kilometre long Northern Railway Project in Sri Lanka under the lines of credit extended by the Government of India. So far IRCON has completed the Omanthai - Kilinochchi track (62 kilometres) and the Medawachchiya - Madhu Road track (43 kilometres) of the Northern Railway lines. These railway tracks under construction boast of a speed potential of 100 kmph and mark Sri Lanka Railway’s transition to a durable, cost effective and minimal maintenance, modern railway track. The other sections of the Northern Railway project, namely from Madhu Road to Talaimannar Pier (63 kilometres) and Pallai to Kankesanthurai (56 kilometres) are also progressing on schedule.