The Indian High Commission, Colombo in a Press Release dated March 10,2010 states that India has extended US$ 67.4 million Line of Credit to Sri Lanka for the upgradation of Colombo-Matara Railway Line.
The upgradation project includes supply of materials for rail track rehabilitation from Colombo to Matara and execution of work for rail track rehabilitation from Kalutara to Matara which is being implemented by IRCON (I) Limited. In addition, the Line of Credit is also being used for supply of 20 sets of Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), three units of locomotives, spare parts for the existing M8 class locomotives, supply of plant and machinery for maintenance of existing DMUs and construction of maintenance sheds at Aluthgama, Galle and Colombo by RITES India Limited.
The Upgradation Project would allow the trains to travel on the Colombo Matara sector at speeds up to 100 kmph. It will increase the average operating speed from 40 kmph to 80 kmph allowing a passenger express train to cover the Colombo-Galle distance approximately within 2 hours. The supply of DMUs and locomotives would also increase the train capacity and the frequency of trains, alleviating the existing constraints in this regard on the Colombo-Matara sector.
Thu, Mar 11, 2010
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