RailEnquiry

A trial run on the 43-km new railway track between Medawachchiya and Madhu Road was conducted recently. The rail track was reconstructed by Ircon International Limited, a government company under the Ministry of Railways of India. Project Director, Sri Lanka Railway, M.P.L.N Peiris, Team leader, CECB, M P De Silva and General Manager, Ircon International Limited, S L Gupta, undertook the trial run. The trial run commenced from the Medawachchiya station and ended at the newly constructed Madhu Road Station.“The trial run was successful and comfortable and we are pleased that this phase of the project has been completed,” said Gupta.The reconstructed track is a 43-km long segment of the Northern Railway Line project, comprising 252-km of rail track, which is being executed by Ircon International Limited.The project is funded by the Government of India, under an Indian line of credit.“This segment has been completed within schedule,” said Gupta.

The reconstructed railway track has been designed with a speed potential of 120 kmph. Rail joints are minimised using the latest modern welding technology.

Pre-stressed concrete sleepers have been used to lay the tracks, instead of traditional wooden sleepers to ensure durable and stronger tracks, simultaneously helping to preserve the environment.

CMS (Cast Manganese Steel) crossings with standard turnouts, long welded rails with switch expansion joints, panel interlocking and flash butt welding have been incorporated to provide a long-lasting track, with minimal maintenance effort.

“For the execution of the project, local manpower and agencies have been deployed to generate employment and skills development,” said Gupta.