Plans are underway to commence electric train services early next year under the Colombo Suburban Railway Project, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said.
In a statement, the Deputy Minister said that discussions in this regard were held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways on Tuesday (29).
The meeting focused on introducing a new outlook to suburban railway services in Colombo, with detailed discussions on the first phase of the project.
Electric train services are planned for the Kelani Valley line from Maradana to Makumbura, the Main line from Colombo Fort to Ragama, and the Coastal line from Colombo Fort to Panadura, he said.
Officials also reviewed financial arrangements and potential challenges in implementing the project.
Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena further said that it was decided that electric train services will operate parallel to existing services, with railway tracks upgraded from the current broad gauge to standard gauge.
He confirmed that the project is scheduled to commence early next year, marking a significant step toward modernizing Sri Lanka’s railway infrastructure. (Newswire)