$ 450 m investment planned for 42-km Colombo-Negombo electric train system; township

The Airport Express Air and Rail Co. Ltd. (AEARC) of Malaysia will start an electric train system between Negombo and Colombo whilst a mega township is also planned with a combined investment of $ 450 million.

The company recently signed a contract with investors for the project. The contract was signed by Premiere Global Assets Ltd. President Dr. Shawana Khdir Ali, AEARC Managing Director Dr. Parimalan Rajo Iso Michael and Newport Global Group Ltd. of the US. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was also present at the occasion.

The cost of AEARC’s detailed feasibility study for the high speed train system is around $ 5 million. The proposed project is comprised of a 42 km stretch of rail track between Negombo and Colombo Fort. Two terminuses have already been identified to be built both at the Katunayake Airport and Colombo Fort. The track will be comprised of two parallel railway lines between the destinations.

The contract was signed last week by Premiere Global Assets Ltd, President Dr. Shawana Khdir Ali, AEARC Managing Director Dr. Parimalan Rajo Iso Michael and Newport Global Group Ltd. of the US in the presence of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake

Cabinet approval has already been given to create two exit points in Bopitiya and Kerawalapitiya, facilitating more traffic access to the metro.

The proposed railway route will proceed along the airport road then cross the Negombo lagoon and connect to the new Katunayake Expressway through an elevated rail track.

AEARC Managing Director Dr. Parimalan said: “Rapid transit systems have been introduced worldwide to provide high-capacity public transport. It is an electric railways characterised by high speed and rapid acceleration. Metropolitan Railway (Metro) is an urban, electric rail transport system with a high capacity and high frequency of service.”

He went on to emphasise that the Metro operated separately from other modes of transportation. They operate in tunnels, on elevated structures or at surface level, always with physical separation from other traffic. At Bopitiya a private land of 150 acres has been purchased for a modern township with all the latest facilities. The rules and regulations listed in the gazette notification issued by the land registry in 1972 will be strictly followed on the development of a proposed township.

Architecture consultant Calderpeel-London is expected to be employed to construct the township in accordance with the guidelines and specifications given in the gazette notification. The proposed well-integrated township development covers 150 acres of residential and commercial land.

From the 150 acres of residential and commercial land, space will be allocated for the development of a landscape garden for relaxation. The project will also provide housing options for prospective residents and serve as a hub of play activities and recreational facilities. The main land plots of ‘Eco City’ are planned to be developed within 2015.

Overall development is expected to be completed by 2018. A total of 3,050 apartments are also included in the project. Approval from the BOI for the implementation of their ‘Bopitiya Township project’ has already been obtained. The total value of the investment will be around $ 450 million.