Madu rail track completed

A trial run was conducted successfully on the new Madu track, which covers a distance of 43 km during a monitoring visit by top officials recently.

Sri Lanka Railways General Manager B.A.P. Ariyaratne inspected the completed railway track between Medawachchiya and Madu road.

During his visit, Ariyaratne expressed satisfaction about the completed new track and congratulated the project execution team on their commendable efforts for timely completion. He emphasised that the opening of this segment of 43 km of track, which is part of the Northern Rail Linking Project of 252 km, will fulfil the needs of the local public who have long been waiting for the restoration of the rail link destroyed during the 30 year war.

Ariyaratne, who undertook a train journey during his visit, expressed satisfaction of the riding quality and comfort offered by the newly constructed track. He expressed his satisfaction for the construction agency, Ircon International Limited for completing the project on time. He said that the reconstructed railway track was a modern line with a designed speed potential of 120kmph, with a smooth and comfortable riding quality. Thanks to the latest technologies and material used for the construction, Sri Lanka Railway can now have a durable railway track, with minimum maintenance, offering a quality journey for its commuters.

Ircon International Limited Construction Agency General Manager Gupta briefed the visiting team on the numerous advantages of the newly constructed track. “Rail joints are minimised using modern welding technology, usage of concrete sleepers instead of traditional wooden sleepers, CMS (Cast Manganese Steel) crossings with standard turnouts, long welded rails with switch expansion joints, panel interlocking, flash butt welding, are just a few of the modern features of the new track,” Gupta said.

Ariyaratne once again lauded Ircon International Limited for the timely completion of the project and said he expected the balance length of the Northern Railway projects to be completed on time. The other tracks under construction are from Omanthai to Kankasanthurai and Madhu road to Talaimannar Pier.

These projects are funded by the Government of India through the US$ 800 million lines of credit. The construction agency Ircon is a state enterprise under Indian Railway.  

The Inspecting team said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that the track was completed well ahead of the Madhu Church festival which takes place during the month of August every year. The completed and ready-to-handover track is expected to transport pilgrims from various parts of the island up to the Madhu Road railway station this year.