IRCON completes Omanthai-Kilinochchi railway line

Monday, 16 September 2013 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The reconstructed railway line from Omanthai to Kilinochchi was commissioned and dedicated to the public of Sri Lanka at a function held at the Kilinochchi Railway Station on 14 September. It was a historic occasion as the train service recommenced on this section after a lapse of 23 years. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, Minister for Traditional Enterprises and Small Industries Development Douglas Devananda and High Commissioner of India Y.K. Sinha inaugurated the long-awaited train services on the section.

Ministry of Transport Secretary Dhammika Perera, Sri Lanka Railways General Manager B.A.P. Ariyaratne, IRCON Chairman and Managing Director Mohan Tiwari, IRCON GM S.L. Gupta and other senior officials of the Government of Sri Lanka were also present at the occasion. All the dignitaries joined the maiden train trip prior to the inauguration ceremony. The train journey from Omanthai took 40 minutes to cover a distance of 63 km and was greeted with joy by large numbers of residents of the area on arrival at Kilinochchi. The railway tracks from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai and Medawachchiya to Talaimannar were completely destroyed during the devastating years of war in the region. The Government of India has extended lines of credit to build the 252 km railway lines in the Northern Province. IRCON, a Government company under the Ministry of Railways, India, is executing the project and this 63 km long segment has been completed as per the schedule. The reconstructed railway track is designed with a speed potential of 120 kmph. Addressing the huge gathering, the distinguished guests said that commissioning of this section is an important milestone towards fulfilment of the President’s vision of bringing peace and prosperity to people of all regions in Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commissioner expressed profound happiness in opening the section and felicitated the Government of Sri Lanka. Minister Welgama stated that the other segments of the Northern Railway restoration project were progressing well and expected to be completed by June 2014. While appreciating the good work done by IRCON, the Minister expressed his confidence that the remaining sections would also be completed well within the stipulated time period.