Restoration Work Starts With Indian Assistance
The India Sri Lanka railway restoration work has officially begun as India extends assistance to rebuild the cyclone-damaged northern railway track. The India Sri Lanka railway restoration project aims to restore connectivity and strengthen infrastructure in the affected regions.
Operation Sagar Bandhu Drives Recovery Efforts
As part of its regional outreach, India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 to support Sri Lanka’s relief and recovery process. Through this initiative, India focused on restoring connectivity, infrastructure, and essential services. Consequently, railway reconstruction emerged as a priority due to its importance for trade and mobility.
Formal Ceremony Marks Project Launch
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Transport marked the start of work with a formal ceremony at Mahawa Junction. Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayaka attended the event. The project began with an Indian grant of USD 5 million, signalling strong bilateral cooperation.
Part of India’s USD 450 Million Reconstruction Package
Moreover, this railway project forms the first step under India’s USD 450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka. India announced the package during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit after the cyclone. The aid includes USD 350 million in concessional lines of credit and USD 100 million in grants to support long-term rebuilding.
Operational Timeline and Modernisation Plan
According to Sri Lanka Railways, authorities expect the restored railway line to become operational before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14. Additionally, the Indian-assisted modernisation project, implemented in phases between 2019 and 2024, will upgrade the 370-kilometre track. The new signalling system will allow trains to run at speeds of up to 100 km per hour.
Wildlife Protection Built Into Design
Importantly, planners designed the project to protect wildlife. Engineers will construct bridges and tunnels that allow elephants to cross safely under the tracks. As a result, the project aims to reduce train-related wildlife accidents in forested regions.
IRCON Leads Reconstruction Work
Furthermore, IRCON International Limited, a public sector enterprise under Indian Railways, is executing the reconstruction. Minister Rathnayaka described Mahawa Junction as a critical railway hub and confirmed that five elephant corridors will be built under Indian assistance.
Cyclone Ditwah Caused Extensive Damage
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s government estimated that railway restoration would cost over USD 320 million. Cyclone Ditwah triggered severe flooding and landslides, causing soil erosion and bridge collapses. In many areas, tracks lost ground support, and signal systems failed. Therefore, the ongoing restoration plays a vital role in reconnecting northern Sri Lanka. Follow for more latest updates, FM News.
