Colombo. With the help of India, the repair work of the Northern Railway track has started in cyclone-affected Sri Lanka. Officials gave this information on Monday. India has assured full assistance for the complete reconstruction of the cyclone-damaged Northern Railway line from Mahava Junction to Omanthai. India had launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ on November 28 to provide relief, reconstruction assistance and restoration of connectivity in Sri Lanka.
The Transport Ministry said that Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Santosh Jha and Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayaka were present at the ceremony organized to mark the commencement of the work. According to the ministry, reconstruction work began on Sunday at Mahawa Junction in the North Western Region with a grant of US $ 5 million given by India. This is the beginning of the implementation of projects under the US$ 450 million reconstruction package given by India to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka was hit hard by the devastating Cyclone ‘Ditwa’ in November, causing massive floods and landslides and killing more than 600 people. Foreign Minister S. This package was announced during Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lanka Railways, the renovated railway line is expected to be fully operational before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 14 April.
The reconstruction work will be carried out by ‘IRCON International Limited’, an Indian engineering and construction corporation set up by Indian Railways. Minister Ratnayaka said, “Mahawa Junction is an important point of the railway network. Five bridges and tunnels for elephant movement will be constructed with Indian assistance.
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