Colombo-Wadduwa Railway line not renovated for a century

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Department of Railway services says that the section of the coastal railway from Colombo Fort to Wadduwa has not been fully renovated in about a century.

The department's Chief Engineer in charge of roads and industries,  H.M.J.W. Bandara, said that ideally the tracks should be replaced once in every 05 years.

However due to the shortage of tracks, maintenance work has been limited to only the most essential areas along the 35 km stretch from Colombo Fort to Wadduwa, he said.

Meanwhile the Railway Department said the coastal line from Kalutara to Beliatta has been fully renovated.

Tenders have been called for the acquisition of 10,000 new tracks for the reconstruction of the railways.

Accordingly, 65 kilometers of railroad can be restored with the 10,000tracks.

Chief Engineer Bandara said that the relevant railway line is expected to be completed by March 2023.

He stated that complete renovation of 05 more railway lines have been initiated under the Indian Line of Credit.

Additionally, the Railway Control Room said that the train delay experienced on the coastal route will continue.

A train derailed near Kollupitiya Railway Station, which led to the railroad tracks being damaged and several trains being cancelled.

Renovation work are still underway.