- Thursday, May 02, 2024
Sri Lankan transport minister and the Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka ceremonially launched the multiple works on December 7, the Indian high commission in Colombo said.
By: Shubham Ghosh
SOUTH Asian maritime neighbours India and Sri Lanka have together launched multiple works costing $91.27 million (£71.7 million) across the island-nation to upgrade the railway network which will enhance the mobility of goods and services and boost economic activity.
Sri Lankan minister of transport, highways and mass media Dr Bandula Gunawardena and the Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha ceremonially launched the multiple works on Sunday (7), a release from the office of the Indian high commission in Colombo said.
Gunawardena thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka, especially in the transport sector.
High Commissioner and Hon. Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena ceremonially launched the upgradation of Railway line from Maho to Anuradhapura today. Once complete it will serve as north-south railway connectivity corridor in #SriLanka with obvious economic benefits (1/2). pic.twitter.com/oriUQSxOar
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) January 7, 2024
Jha expressed happiness that as a long-standing development partner of Sri Lanka, India had executed projects for the development and rehabilitation of Sri Lanka’s Northern and Southern Railway line over the past several years in line with the priorities and requirements of the Sri Lankan government.
The project is being carried out by @IrconOfficial under a USD 318 million credit line. #India has so far carried out various projects worth more than USD 1 billion for strengthening rail infrastructure in 🇱🇰 under various credit lines. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/rG0mqh1hxc
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) January 7, 2024
The Indian diplomat also underscored the importance of the modernisation of railways in enhancing the mobility of goods and services in Sri Lanka thereby boosting economic activity.
“The cost of the entire project is USD 91.27 million of which the second phase of rehabilitation from Maho-Anuradhapura is scheduled to be completed in a period of six months,” the release added.
The works launched on Sunday include track rehabilitation work at Sri Lanka’s Galgamuwa railway station and commencing upgradation of the railway line including ancillary works from Maho to Anuradhapura.
It also included the second phase of a Line of Credit project for track rehabilitation from Maho-Omanthai (distance 128 kilometres) being undertaken by an Indian Public Sector company, IRCON, under an Indian line of credit (LoC) of $318 million (£250.1 million).
Appreciating the work carried out by IRCON in Sri Lanka in the past few years, Gunawardena called for greater cooperation between the two countries in the railways sector.
Sri Lanka’s state minister of mass media Shantha Bandara and senior officials from the Sri Lankan ministry of transport were also present at the event.
Railways has been one of the priority sectors for Indian government’s assistance to Sri Lanka.
To date, India has executed projects of over $1 billion (£787 million) in the railways sector under five Indian LOCs.
(With PTI inputs)
