Friday, 3rd October 2014
by Dasun Edirisinghe reporting from Jaffna
Ferry service between Sri Lanka and Rameswaram in India could resume next year after restoration of the northern railway line to Talaimannar by December, Indian Government undertaking IRCON International, which is restoring the line said.
IRCON Additional General Manager V. K. Jayasankar said that the reconstruction of rail track from Madhu Road station to Talaimannar pier had been completed now, but the Mannar Bridge was still under construction.
He said that the 63 km stretch from Madhu Road to Talaimannar reconstructed under the Indian Credit line by the IRCON had been completed ahead of time, but the pier was still under construction.
"The new pier at Talaimannar will also be built to enable resumption of ferry service between Talaimannar and Rameswaram at an early date and it will enhance connectivity between India and Sri Lanka," Jayasankar said adding that a boat service started between Talaimannar and Tuticorin two years ago had been halted for want of passengers.
Prior to ethnic turmoil the ferry service had operated from Talaimannar and people went there by train, he said.
According to him, the reconstruction of Talaimannar bridge was delayed due to the designer’s failure to provide the plan on time.
IRCON International Project Director S. L. Gupta said that the connectivity among SAARC countries would be realised when the ferry service between Talaimannar and Rameswaram was restored.
From: The Island. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=111391
