The Indian Railways have completed phase I of a 43-km rail link from Medawachchiya to Madhu Road in Sri Lanka at a cost of $81 million, an official statement said Wednesday.
According to IRCON, a subsidiary of the Indian Railway, train services on the line resumed on May 14 after a gap of 23 years.
The train from Medawachhiya will take 30 minutes to cover the distance. The tracks on the section were completely destroyed during the devastating civil war in the region. The reconstructed track is designed for a speed potential of up to 120 kmph.
India will construct around 252 km of railway lines in the Northern Province of the island nation to be executed by IRCON, the statement added.
Sri Lankan Minister for Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, Minister for Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, and High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha Chairman and IRCON's managing director Mohan Tiwari were present at the inaugural ceremony.