The Railway Department is moving ahead with several major infrastructure projects, including the proposed extension of the Kelani Valley (KV) railway line to Ratnapura, suburban railway electrification and the procurement of new train sets, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena said.
Speaking on the department’s future plans at Parliament, Gunasena said the feasibility study for extending the KV line from Avissawella to Ratnapura is currently underway and is expected to be completed by December. Detailed designs and procurement will follow once the study is finalised.
He also said plans are being prepared jointly by the Railway Department and the Road Development Authority (RDA) to address bottlenecks caused by four rail barriers on the Kosgama-Avissawella stretch, while a proposal to double-track the Polgahawela-Kurunegala railway line is also in the project pipeline.
The feasibility study for the Colombo suburban railway electrification project is also in progress, with construction expected to begin next year.
To reduce delays on the Coastal Line, the department has identified 12 bridges requiring reconstruction. Tenders have already been called, with contracts awarded for two bridges, while the remaining 10 are expected to be awarded before the end of the year.
Gunasena said 10,000 rail clips have also been ordered to improve track conditions on the Coastal Line. Delivery has been delayed due to the conflict in the Middle East, but the shipment is expected within a month.
He added that the procurement process for five new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train sets is currently at the mid-evaluation stage, with the department aiming to award the contract before the end of this year.
In addition, proposals submitted under the 2027 Public Investment Programme (PIP) include the purchase of five bi-directional train sets and five new locomotives. (Newswire)