Northern railway on track once again
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Workers engaged in construction
activities of Talimannar-Medawachchiya railway
line
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It is known that in the past people were able to travel by train
to Thalaimannar and proceed to Danushkodi in India by boat by purchasing a
ticket of Rs. 360. During that period, a majority of those who travelled in this
manner were Sinhalese and Muslims. They took coconut oil, soap, spices etc to
South India and on their return brought sarees, sarongs, aluminium products etc.
As they were able to travel by train to Thalaimannar and take about 100 kgs of
items as cargo, the bartering trade at that time was a very profitable one.
The dilapidated peer, buildings with name boards - Sri Lanka
Customs, Thalaimannar and the storage complex prove that at that time this area
was filled with people.
This peaceful lifestyle and trading atmosphere vanished from
this country due to brutal terrorism. People in the area told us that the last
time a train travelled to Thalaimannar was in 1990.
I still remember when I was working at the Fisheries Department
during the 1970-75 period, I travelled to Mannar and Jaffna on official duties
in a sleeping compartment in the train in First Class. After getting into the
night mail train from the Fort Railway Station and taking dinner and a dessert
from the railway canteen, it was possible to sleep in the train comfortably and
wake up the following morning in Jaffna or Mannar.
Terrorism not only destroyed human lives but also this train
journey and the railway stations as well.
The fine railway stations which existed at that time were
covered with forests later and sometimes have become places infested with
landmines. The rail tracks have been removed and used for various construction
and other activities.
After establishing peace in the country, the present government
under the Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future, started work in 2011 on the
reconstruction of the Colombo-Medawachchi-Thalaimannar and Jaffna railway tracks
and stations.
The first segment of the Medawachchi-Thalaimannar railway line,
the Medawachchi-Madu sector, is 43 milometres. It covers three main railway
stations and 19 railway crossings. For the construction of this sector of the
railway line, US $ 81.30 million will be spent under the loan assistance
programme of the Indian government. The project started in 2011 and is expected
to be completed in 2013. It is believed that this railway line can be used for
the 2013 Madu Church Festival.
Already, the ground laying work has completed and at present
fixing of concrete slabs and rail track is being carried out.
Madu to Thalaimannar Jetty
This is the last segment of the Colombo-Thalaimanner railway
line and it covers a distance of 63 kilometres. This segment has been totally
destroyed. It has eight railway stations and 39 railway crossings. For the
construction of this sector, US $ 149.74 million will be spent under the loan
assistance programme of the Indian government and the reconstruction work of
this sector started in 2011. At present, demining near the railway line is
complete. It is expected to complete the work of this segment in 2014. By that
time, the dream of travelling from Colombo to Thalaimannar will become a
reality.
Omanthai to Palali
This segment has a distance of 90.5 kms and it has 67 railway
crossings. Surveying and demining is complete and laying of the tracks in this
stretch has also commenced. The construction of the track which started last
year is expected to be complete within three years. The cost of this segment
will amount to US $ 185.35 million and the project is being carried out under
the loan assistance programme of the Indian government.
Palaly to Kankesanthurai
This stretch of the railway line has a distance of 55 kms.
Jungle clearing and grubbing for the construction of this railway line is
complete.
Details surveying is in progress and the project is expected to
commence this year and be completed in two years.
The construction of this 55 kms is estimated to cost US $ 146.51
million and it is also carried out under the loan assistance programme of the
Indian government.
Restoration of signaling
Work on the restoration of signalling and telecommunication
system from Anuradhapura to Kankesanthurai with a distance of 208 kms and
Medawachchiya to Talaimannar pier with a distance of 105 kms is underway.
Work which started this year is expected to be complete within
three years at a cost of US $ 86.53 million under the loan assistance from the
Indian government.
Courtesy : Daily News
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