New locomotives for Northern railway reconstruction arrive at Colombo Port

Three new locomotives, built in India’s diesel locomotive works Varanasi, have arrived at the Colombo Port to speed up the prestigious Northern Rail Project. These locomotives are being supplied to Sri Lanka Railways as part of the ongoing Northern railway reconstruction projects.  

Ircon General Manager S.L. Gupta said that three more locomotives would be supplied to Sri Lanka Railways under the Northern Rail Project shortly. “These rail projects spreading over 250 kilometres in length are being funded as part of US$ 800 million line of credit extended by the Indian government,” said Gupta.      

Ircon International Limited, an Indian state owned construction firm operating under Indian Railways, is executing the 252 kilometre long Northern railway reconstruction project. Ircon is a one of the largest engineering construction organisations in India and are pioneers in railway construction. They have a global presence in 21 countries, with 90 completed infrastructure projects outside India.

Apart from this, they have completed over 280 domestic projects in India. Ircon specialises in transport infrastructure projects. The company undertakes construction of railway lines, station buildings, tunnels, airport terminal buildings, roads and highways, bridges and flyovers, railway electrification works, signalling and telecommunication works, buildings, mechanical and electrical projects.  

The company was established in 1976 by the Government of India as a wholly owned entity of the Ministry of Indian Railways, then known as the Indian Railway Construction Company Limited. “As the name indicates, initially, its primary charter was the construction of railway projects in India and abroad. Subsequently, the company has diversified into the other transport infrastructure segments with its expanded and diversified scope of operations across the world,” added Gupta.

Ircon’s growth to become a global construction firm was steady and fast. It has been a consistent winner of the highest foreign exchange earner award in the construction sector in India for many years, competing with many private construction companies.

During the civil war, the entire track in the Northern Province was destroyed resulting in train traffic being terminated for the last 23 years. “Under the Indian lines of credit, these railway lines from Medawachchiya to Talaimannar Pier and Omanthai to Kankasanthurai are being reconstructed. An ultra modern signalling and telecommunication system is also being installed under these lines of credit,” said Gupta.  

A state owned construction company under Indian Railways and globally recognised railway infrastructure builders, Ircon was the natural choice for this reconstruction project funded by the Government of India. When reconstructed, the track will be a modern railway line after the Kaluthara-Matara coastal railway line segment, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, which is also being upgraded by Ircon.

The track is designed for a speed potential of 120 kmph with smooth and comfortable riding quality. Designed using the latest modern technology, with flash butt welding, long welded rails and cast manganese steel crossing with standard turnouts etc., they are all firsts for Sri Lanka. “Furthermore, no wooden sleepers have been used in constructing the entire track thus aiding forest conservation,” noted Gupta.  

The project which is creating employment opportunities for 2,000 Sri Lankans directly and many more thousands indirectly will result in the people of the Northern Province having a continuous train service from Jaffna or Talaimannar to Colombo once these railway lines become operational.

 “Ircon and the Government of India are pleased to be part of Sri Lanka’s development, whilst further strengthening the ties of friendship and solidarity between our two countries,” said Gupta.