Modi to inaugurate rail track destroyed in Lankan civil war
March 11, 2015
Colombo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a railway track that was destroyed during the civilwar in Sri Lanka and has been re-built with India’s assistance during his visit here this week.
India’s state-owned Ircon International Limited conducted test runs today on the rebuilt rail line as the last stretch of track, destroyed by war in northern Sri Lanka, was completed.
It will be declared open by Prime Minister Modi on Saturday.
The 63-km newly built railway track between Madhu Road and Talaimannar Pier in the northwest is the last segment of the 265 km-long northern railway line reconstruction project.
The railway track from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai in northern Jaffna peninsula and Medawachchiya to Talaimannar Pier were completely destroyed during the ethnic conflict.
The Indian government under its development credit policy gave a soft loan of USD 650 million to Sri Lanka to rebuild the railway track at a concessional rate with a repayment period spreading over 20 years and a five year moratorium.
The Northern Railway Line Reconstruction Project is being executed by Ircon.
This section has five crossing stations at Murukan, Mannar, Pesalai, Talai Mannar and Talai Mannar Pier, along with three halt stations.
Prime Minister Modi, who is due in Colombo on Friday, will be the first Indian Prime Minister since Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 to make a bilateral visit to the island.
-PTI
Related Stories
PM returns home after three-nation tour
Narendra Modi performs 'Dana' at Mahabodhi Society in Sri Lanka
Narendra Modi departs from Mauritius; heads to Sri Lanka
PM leaves on 3-nation tour on Tuesday, in Lanka on Mar 13-14
I am not helpless minister, but very influential: Sushma
Narendra Modi leaves on 3-nation tour tomorrow
Chinese firms will no longer get preferential treatment:Sri Lanka
Narendra Modi to pay tribute to fallen IPKF soldiers
Modi to visit Jaffna, address Parliament during Lanka visit
Recent Stories
- IAS officer Mona Khandhar appointed as Chairman of Gujarat Panchayat Service Selection Board
- It is a kind of moral science lesson: Gujarat HC on plea against Bhagavad Gita teaching in schools
- RBI imposes monetary penalty on 4 cooperative banks in Gujarat
- BJP MP Mansukh Vasava dismisses Bhil Pradesh demand as 'preposterous', urges tribal unity
- Road from expressway to Amit Nagar circle closed; Vadodara police announce alternate routes
- Increased scrutiny delays PM-JAY approvals in Ahmedabad hospitals
- AMC to develop Lotus Park, 'Kausum: Garland of India,' on SG Highway