Sunday, 28th September 2014
By Nalaka Ratnayake in Nuwara Eliya
A proposed project to extend the railway track from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya is on the cards, with a team of Chinese experts undertaking a preliminary inspection last week.
Representing NORINCO (China North Industries Corp), the visiting team held discussions with Nuwara Eliya Government Agent, D. P. G. Kumarasiri and Sri Lanka Railway officials.
The proposed new rail track will cover a distance of 9.2 km from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya.
During the recent visit to Nuwara Eliya, President Mahinda Rajapaksa identified the need for the railway line to be re-established under the Mahinda Chinthana concept.
At the time of the British, the rail track was built from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya and from that point up to Ragala to transport tea, but the narrow gauge line was later abandoned with the development of the road transport network offering a better option. The track had disintegrated as it had remained in a state of disuse for around seven decades.
From: The Sunday Island. 28th September 2014. pg. 6
