“This is a historic occasion as the train service will recommence on this section after a lapse of 24 years”, said Project Director, Ircon International Limited, Mr S. L Gupta.
“These rail projects spreading over 252 Km in length are being funded as part of the US$ 800 Million Line of Credit extended by the Indian Government”, said Gupta.
Ircon International Limited, a state owned construction firm of India, operating under the Indian Railways is executing the 252 km long Northern Railway reconstruction project.
IRCON is one of the largest engineering construction organizations of India and are pioneers in Railway construction.
They have a global presence in 23 countries, with 113 completed infrastructure projects away from India.
Apart from this, they have completed over 324 domestic projects in India.
IRCON specializes in transport infrastructure projects and the Company undertakes the construction of railway lines, station buildings, tunnels, airport terminal buildings, roads & highways, bridges & flyovers, railway electrification works, signaling & telecommunication works, buildings, mechanical and electrical projects.
A trial run was successfully conducted on 28 December with Mr. Douglas Devananda, Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Srilanka, V. Amaratunga, General Manager Sri Lanka Railways, Mr. Nalaka Bandara, AGM/ Operations, Mr. Prem Kumar, Project Director of Pallai – KKS Project along with other senior officers from Sri Lanka Railways, CECB and IRCON being present .
The trail run which started from Jaffna station, ended at the newly constructed Kankasanthurai station.
The distance of 18 Kms was covered in a period of 20 minutes. The trial run was declared successful.
The new track will provide very efficient train travel to commuters with reduced travel time and comfortable riding quality.
During the trial run, many local people were seen cheering the train. Considerable excitement and enthusiasm was displayed by the public regarding the commencement of train services after a gap of almost a quarter century.
The corridor has two crossing stations at Kondavil and Chunnakam and five halt stations at Kokuvil, Inuvil, Mallakam, Tellipalai and Mavittapuram.
The railway tracks from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai and Medawachchiya to Talai Mannar Pier were completely destroyed during the prolonged ethnic war conflict.
The government of India extended its support to the Government of Sri Lanka to rebuild the 252 km railway track in the Northern Province by providing a line of credit of USD 800 Million.
Sections between Omanthai to Jaffna (129 km) and Medawachchiya – Thiruketheeswaram (69km) have already been made operational and with the opening of this Jaffna – KKS Section, a total of 215 Km track length will be completed.
According to Mr Gupta, the remaining 37 Km long stretch between Thiruketheeswaram and Talai Mannar Pier is due to be completed by March 2015.
“The reconstructed railway track is designed with a speed potential of 120km per hour. Rail joints have been avoided using ultra modern welding technology.
Latest technologies like Pre-stressed Concrete sleepers, CMS (Cast Manganese Steel) crossings with standard turnouts, Long Welded Rails with Switch Expansion joints, modern Signaling and Telecom, mechanized Tamping and Packing etc.
have been incorporated to provide a long lasting track, with minimal maintenance effort”, said Gupta.
He emphasized the fact that for the execution of this project, local manpower and agencies have been deployed to generate local employment as well as skills development.
Pictured : The train having completed the trial run at the KKS station and Mr S.L. Gupta .
