Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena says train operations in Kandy are expected to recommence before the end of this year, as previously announced, dismissing reports that repair work on the Peradeniya ‘Kalu Palama’ (Black Bridge) has stalled.
He said work to stabilise the Peradeniya ‘Kalu Palama’ has already been successfully completed, and that the next stage of the project will begin promptly.
The Deputy Minister expressed these views at a media briefing following the Kandy District Coordinating Committee meeting, which was co‑chaired by Minister K.D. Lal Kantha and Central Province Governor Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, held at the Kandy District Secretariat.
Further commenting, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said that the tilting of the ‘Kalu Palama’ has been stopped and stabilized.
“The stone pillar that was tilting has also been corrected according to engineering technology, and now the bridge is stable. On the 21st, there was heavy rainfall. The river level rose and damaged the temporary bridge built at that location. Two excavators were hired for the work here. That need no longer exists. Water pumping machines were also hired, and all of them have been returned. From the outside, it may look like there are fewer machines and no workers, but that is wrong. The next stage is starting. Discussions are being held with the technical committee about the upcoming work. As Minister Bimal Ratnayake said, we plan to bring back train operations to Kandy before the end of this year,” he said.
Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena also revealed that under Indian loan assistance, construction is planned from Rambukkana to Kadugannawa.
“The Ministry of Finance is discussing related matters such as interest rates. The Railway Department has already started preliminary work to remove obstacles and restore the track from Rambukkana to Peradeniya. The Railway Department has not been profitable previously. Therefore, the loss of train services affects passengers more than the department itself. Because, to buy a bus season ticket, passengers have to spend more money than for a railway monthly season ticket,” he added. (Newswire)
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