A ballast train reached Pallai, in Sri Lanka’s war-torn Northern Province achieving yet another milestone of the steadily progressing Northern Railway restoration project.

The train, when it drove in from Killinochchi to reach Pallai, made history, giving hope to many thousands of residents of the area that train services would soon recommence.

According to the construction agency, Ircon Inter national Limited, the track works between Killinochchi and Pallai are fully completed, with a few finishing touches to be done.

The re-constructed railway line from Omanthai to Kilinochchi was commissioned and dedicated to the public on September 14, 2013 by the President at a colourful ceremony held at the Killinochchi station yard.

The reconstructed track was the first segment of the Omanthai - Kankasanthurai line. The second segment, Kilinochchi - Pallai, of approximately 30 km is now being readied to be added to the railway network.

IRCON’s General Manager, S. L. Gupta who was present at Pallai, confirmed that the track would soon be completed and that a fully-fledged trial run will be conducted during the month of October.

 “Sri Lanka Railways will be able to take over the section immediately after this trial run and all of us at IRCON are extremely happy that yet another segment of IRCON’s most important venture in Sri Lanka, namely the Northern Railway Project will soon be completed”.

Gupta attributed the achievement of their schedules and deadlines to the hard work rendered by his team of railway professionals. He also thanked Sri Lanka Railway officials as well as the CECB for their assistance and support in achieving their goals.

IRCON Inter national Limited, a state-owned construction firm of India, is executing the 252 km long Northern Railway Project in Sri Lanka under the lines of credit extended by the Gover nment of India. So far IRCON has completed the Omanthai - Kilinochchi track (62 km) and the Medawachchiya - Madhu Road track (43 km) of t he Northern Railway lines. These railway tracks under construction, boast of a speed potential of 100 kmph and mark Sri Lanka Railway’s transition to a durable, cost effective and minimal maintenance, moder n railway track. The other sections of the Norther n Railway project, namely from Madhu Road to Talaimannar Pier (63 km) and Pallai to Kankesanthurai (56 km) are also progressing on schedule.