http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Madhu_Talaimannar_railway_line_80_pc_complete_20130606_03

Madhu-Talaimannar railway line 80 pc complete

Eighty percent of the construction work of the railway line from Madhu to Talaimannar has been completed. This is the last segment of the Medawachchiya-Talaimannar railway line and it covers 63 kilometres. The reconstruction work of the Medawachchiya-Talaimannar was carried out in two phases.

In the first phase, the 43 kilometer track from Medawachchiya to Madhu was reconstructed at a cost of US $ 81.3 million and it has already been opened to the public last month. Under the second stage, the Madhu-Thalaimannar railway line is being built at a cost of US $ 149.74 million.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said this segment has been totally destroyed by LTTE terrorists during the war. It has 11 railway stations including Neriyakulam, Chettikula, Madu road, Murunthan, Mathottam, Thirukeshwaram, Mannar, Thondawil, Pesalei, Talaimannar and Talaimannar port are being constructed currently.

The reconstruction work of this second segment started in 2011 and it is expected to be completed in this year.

During 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," he said. With the Completion of the second stage on the Medawachchiya-Talaimannar, the dream of travelling from Colombo to Thalaimannar will become a reality.

The minister said the reconstruction of the Medawachchiya-Talaimannar railway line is a symbol of friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

"The construction work is being carried out by the Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) and has been funded as a part of the Line of Credit of US $800 million, which has been extended by the Indian government on concessional terms," he said.

Courtesy : Daily news