The Maho to Omanthai railway track will be upgraded at a cost of approximately US$ 91.26 million under Indian concessional financing. The contract was signed between IRCON International Limited and Government of Sri Lanka in Colombo on 18 July 2019.
The total length of the track to be upgraded would be around 130 km and includes 12 crossing stations, seven halt stations and 78 level crossings This is the first time the track is being upgraded in 100 years. This project would approximately double the speed potential of the railway track from the current 60 km to 120 km per hour, as well as reduce maintenance costs.
It will improve passenger comfort and contribute to the modernisation of Sri Lanka Railways.
Chairman and Managing Director, IRCON International Limited, Sunil Kumar Choudhury signed on behalf of IRCON International Limited and Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka, L.P.Jayampathy signed on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government. Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka, Arjuna Ranatunga, General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways; M.J. D. Fernando, ED, IRCON International Limited, S. L. Gupta, and Head of Economic and Commercial Wing, High Commission of India Suja K.Menon, were present on this occasion.