Indian investment in SL railways exceed US $ 1 billion

• The rehabilitation of the Maho-Anuradhapura section expected to be completed in six months

India has executed projects of over US $ 1 billion in the railways sector under five Indian Lines of Credit (LOC), Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha said yesterday.  
Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena and the High Commissioner ceremonially launched track rehabilitation work at Galgamuwa Railway Station commencing the upgradation of the Railway Line including ancillary works from Maho to Anuradhapura, the second phase of the project undertaken by an Indian Public Sector company, IRCON, under LOC of US $ 318 million.   

The cost of the entire project is US $ 91.27 million, of which the 2nd phase of rehabilitation from Maho-Anuradhapura is scheduled to be completed in a period of six months.  

According to a statement from the Indian High Commission, railways has been one of the priority sectors for the Government of India’s assistance to Sri Lanka. IRCON, started its operations in Sri Lanka in March 2009 and has contributed towards the modernization of Sri Lanka Railways by reconstructing the entire railway line network in the Northern Province (253 Km) and upgradation of Southern line (115 km). It has also contributed to ensuring safety and reliability through a modern signalling & telecommunication system on a 330 km stretch of the Railway line.   

“It is notable that India’s support to Sri Lanka under its various LOCs has continued despite the debt standstill announced by the Government of Sri Lanka in April 2022. In September 2023, the Ministry of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka and IRCON International signed a new Contract for design, installation, testing, and commissioning of a Signalling system for Sri Lanka Railways, from Maho to Anuradhapura at a cost of USD 14.90 million under an Indian LOC,” the statement said.