Indian Railways aids rail infra in Sri Lanka

25 Sep 2023 CW Team

This crucial project, with a total estimated cost of USD 14.90 million, is being executed under an Indian Line of Credit (LOC) amounting to USD 318 million. The LOC serves as a testament to the continued commitment of the Government and the people of India to stand by Sri Lanka during these challenging times, as emphasised by the High Commissioner during his remarks at the event. He stressed the significance of the Signalling project in facilitating the movement of people in Sri Lanka, boosting the country's economic recovery, and further strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Dr Bandula Gunawardane, the Minister of Transport and Highways, expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their unwavering support to Sri Lanka in various ways, particularly during the economic crisis experienced by the country last year. He noted that Sri Lankan railway projects have recently received vital support in the form of LOCs from India, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the two nations.

In the context of railway development, Sri Lanka has been a beneficiary of Indian LOCs, with projects totalling over USD 1 billion having been completed under five Indian LOCs to date. IRCON Ltd, an Indian public sector undertaking, has been actively involved in various railway projects in Sri Lanka since its establishment there in March 2009. The company has played a pivotal role in the rehabilitation and modernisation of Sri Lanka Railways, contributing significantly to capacity building and employment generation.

Currently, IRCON Ltd is engaged in a comprehensive project for the upgradation of the Railway Line, including track rehabilitation and ancillary works, covering the Maho to Omanthai route (128 km). This project, valued at USD 91.27 million, has already witnessed successful track rehabilitation from Anuradhapura to Omanthai. The next phase, from Anuradhapura to Maho, is slated to commence in January 2024. These collaborative efforts reflect the enduring partnership between India and Sri Lanka in the field of railway infrastructure development.

On September 21, a significant contract for the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of the Signalling system for Sri Lanka Railways, covering the stretch from Maho to Anuradhapura (66 km), was formally signed. The signing ceremony witnessed the participation of key dignitaries, including the Minister of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka, Dr Bandula Gunawardane, and the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay. This crucial project, with a total estimated cost of USD 14.90 million, is being executed under an Indian Line of Credit (LOC) amounting to USD 318 million. The LOC serves as a testament to the continued commitment of the Government and the people of India to stand by Sri Lanka during these challenging times, as emphasised by the High Commissioner during his remarks at the event. He stressed the significance of the Signalling project in facilitating the movement of people in Sri Lanka, boosting the country's economic recovery, and further strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Dr Bandula Gunawardane, the Minister of Transport and Highways, expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their unwavering support to Sri Lanka in various ways, particularly during the economic crisis experienced by the country last year. He noted that Sri Lankan railway projects have recently received vital support in the form of LOCs from India, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the two nations. In the context of railway development, Sri Lanka has been a beneficiary of Indian LOCs, with projects totalling over USD 1 billion having been completed under five Indian LOCs to date. IRCON Ltd, an Indian public sector undertaking, has been actively involved in various railway projects in Sri Lanka since its establishment there in March 2009. The company has played a pivotal role in the rehabilitation and modernisation of Sri Lanka Railways, contributing significantly to capacity building and employment generation. Currently, IRCON Ltd is engaged in a comprehensive project for the upgradation of the Railway Line, including track rehabilitation and ancillary works, covering the Maho to Omanthai route (128 km). This project, valued at USD 91.27 million, has already witnessed successful track rehabilitation from Anuradhapura to Omanthai. The next phase, from Anuradhapura to Maho, is slated to commence in January 2024. These collaborative efforts reflect the enduring partnership between India and Sri Lanka in the field of railway infrastructure development.

Real Estate

02 Apr 2026

Danube Launches Greenz Master Community in Dubai

Danube Properties has recently launched Greenz by Danube, its first large-scale integrated community featuring premium villas and townhouses, marking its expansion into master-planned developments. Located in Dubai International Academic City near Dubai Silicon Oasis, the project sits within a high-growth corridor housing over 100,000 residents. The area is set to benefit from the upcoming District IO technology hub aligned with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The development will offer three- and four-bedroom townhouses, along with five-bedroom semi-detached ..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Apr 2026

Jal Jeevan Mission Reports Tap Water For 158.2 mn Rural Households

Since August 2019 the Government of India, in partnership with states, has been implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to enable every rural household to have assured potable water through tap connections. The mission is overseen by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and seeks regular long term supply of prescribed quality water. At the launch only 3.23 Crore, equivalent to 32.3 million (mn), or 16.7 per cent, of rural households had tap connections. As reported by states and union territories on three March 2026 an additional 12.58 Crore, or 125.8 mn households, have been provided connections brin..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Apr 2026

MSME Ministry Holds Awareness Camp And Vendor Programme In Dimapur

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME Ministry) organised an Entrepreneur Awareness Camp and a Special Vendor Development Programme in Seden Riju, Purana Bazar, Dimapur, Nagaland on 30 March 2026. The programme aimed to create awareness of central initiatives including the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) scheme and to bridge the gap between demand from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and the supply capabilities of SC/ST enterprises. It focused on quality standards, supply chain integration and offered Udyam registration to participants. The programme sought to improve m..