Four colour-coded elevated railways for Colombo

• Project aimed at reducing traffic congestion
• To connect Ragama, Moratuwa, Kottawa and Athurugiriya
• Project to be a PPP, says Cabinet Spokesperson

Cabinet has granted approval to construct four colour-coded elevated railway tracks that will connect Colombo to its most populous suburbs, a top official said yesterday.  

The project will be implemented as a Public-Private Partnership and seek to reduce severe traffic congestion experienced in reaching the capital, Cabinet Co-Spokesperson Minister Udaya Gammanpila told the weekly Cabinet briefing.

The four railway tracks have been named Raktha (Red), Neela (Blue), Haritha (Green) and Dham (Purple).

The Raktha railway track, which is to be constructed from Ragama to Kottawa via Colombo Fort, is 42 km in distance. Haritha railway track is 28 km in distance and it is set to be elevated from Moratuwa to Kelaniya via Narahenpita.

The Neela railway track, which is 23 km long will be built from Kottawa to Hunupitiya through Isurupaya. The fourth elevated railway track, Dham, will be constructed from Port City to Athurugiriya via Borella.

Meanwhile local competitor bids have also been called to award four construction packages to rehabilitate and maintain a segment of the Colombo-Kandy road. The stretch of road, which will be 44-100km, has received 47 bids from 15 bidders.

Cabinet approved the proposal tabled by Highways Minister Johnston Fernando to award the relevant contract packages to substantial responsive bidders, as recommended by the Cabinet-appointed standing committee on procurements.