The government states that renovation work at the Bambalapitiya Railway Station has reached its final stage.

The project is being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development and operates as a public–private partnership, with funding provided through financial contributions from the local community.

Renovations have covered the main station, sanitary facilities, roofing, platforms, special parapet walls, and the construction of a flyover above Marine Drive, at a total cost of Rs. 55 million. (Newswire)

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The renovated Narahenpita Railway Station was officially opened for public use today (06), marking the completion of another project under the nationwide initiative to upgrade facilities at 100 railway stations.

The renovation was carried out under the “Dream Destination” programme, a sustainable project implemented through the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, with oversight from the Sri Lanka Railway Department and direction from the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.

According to the Ministry of Transport, construction work, valued at Rs. 40 million, was undertaken by MAGA Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. 

The project included building a new passenger overhead bridge, extending the second passenger platform, upgrading sanitary and drainage systems, interior and exterior painting, installing new passenger seating, renovating railway staff quarters, modernizing the electrical lighting system, and carpeting the station’s access road.

The improvements are part of a broader effort to modernize railway infrastructure across the island, and enhance passenger convenience and safety. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport says renovation work at the Bambalapitiya Railway Station is continuing without interruption under the “Dream Destination” project, carried out as part of the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme.

The project is being implemented with the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development and operates under a public–private partnership model, while funding comes from financial contributions made by the local community.

The Transport Ministry said that Rs. 55 million has already been spent on the renovation work. 

The Ministry added that all upgrades are expected to be completed by August this year. (Newswire)

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The renovated Talpe Railway Station was declared open to the public today (02 Jan) under the patronage of Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake.

The railway station was renovated under the “Dream Destination” project of the Clean Sri Lanka national initiative by the Ministry of Transport.  

Star Garments Company had provided financial assistance for the renovation of the railway station. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake engaged in an observation tour to inspect the existing shortcomings at the Dehiwala Railway Station, following the instructions and approval given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to renovate 100 railway stations across Sri Lanka. 

During the inspection tour yesterday, Minister Rathanayake said that measures such as extending the surrounding wall, improving essential infrastructure for railway passengers, facilitating goods transportation by rail, providing facilities for disabled passengers, and meeting several other urgent needs will be implemented promptly to address the current unsafe conditions at Dehiwala Railway Station.

“Following the President’s instructions and approval, we are conducting observations to proceed with the renovation of 100 railway stations. Currently, a large number of buses stop near this railway station, and the passengers arriving by these buses lack proper restroom facilities. Additionally, to boost tourism and generate economic benefits, the Dehiwala Railway Station, which attracts a significant number of visitors, will be equipped with a proper restroom system,” he said.

Minister Rathnayake further said that steps will be taken to construct food outlets with public-friendly facilities for tourists, adding that plans for this have already been prepared and will be submitted for my review. 

The Transport Minister announced that the renovation of the Dehiwala Railway Station will commence within the next few months and that work will be completed in phases.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Mayor of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, senior officials from the Sri Lanka Police, and a group of senior railway officials. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to implement the project to initiate the generation of electricity via rooftop solar panels at railway stations as a public-private partnership project.

According to the government, there are more than 300 stations owned by Sri Lanka Railways and it has been identified as appropriate to initiate the project for electricity generation via solar panels on the roofs of railway stations. 

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport and Highways to take the necessary steps to implement the said projects as a public-private partnership project.

Addressing the media today, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena said the government will call for expressions of interest for public-private partnerships for the project to be implemented in railway stations islandwide.

He further said as areas in the north and east, and also to the south in Hambanthota receive a lot of sunlight it would be advantageous for the Railways if a profit could be made with solar panels on the roofs of stations.

Stating that the Cabinet approved his proposal to call for tenders for public-private partnerships, he said previous expressions of interest will be disregarded and new ones will be called instead. 

The measure is seen as part of the state-owned Sri Lanka Railways exploration of new avenues to boost its revenue. (Newswire)

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The contract for the reconstruction of the pedestrian bridges across Marine Drive to access the Bambalapitiya and Wellawatta railway stations has been awarded to the State Development and Design Statutory Corporation.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of the contract to the company subject to the condition of completion within a period of six months.

The government said the need for the construction of temporary steps and immediate reconstruction of the pedestrian bridges has been identified considering the precarious condition of the pedestrian bridges.

Identifying the reconstruction of the pedestrian bridges as an urgent and essential construction, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport and Highways in this regard.

The dilapidated state of the overhead pedestrian bridge near the Bambalapitiya Railway station recently made rounds on social media, bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities. (NewsWire)

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Plans are in motion to erect a temporary accessway at the Bambalapitiya railway station.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the measures have been taken in this regard on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The temporary accessway at the Bambalapitiya railway station is expected to be constructed within 10 days of removing the current flyover.

The President has also instructed for a new bridge to be constructed within 5 months. 

The PMD added that the State Quantity & Construction Corporation has been entrusted with the project, under the oversight of the Road Development Authority (RDA).

The steps have been taken after recent media reports had exposed the dilapidated state of the accessway of the Bambalapitiya railway station. (NewsWire)

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