Tube train from Borella to Wellawatta

by Ananda Kannangara

In a bid to provide an efficient transport service to office workers and commuters, coming to the city of Colombo every day, the Railway Track Development Ministry is to expedite the construction work of the proposed underground tube train system.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Railway Track Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said this has been a long felt need and a feasibility report in this regard has already been received He assured that the construction work of the subway rail line which became a major topic even several years ago, is now finalised and will commence this year.

"The nature of the system will immensely benefit office workers during peak hours and also ease the traffic congestion in the city limits to a greater extent" he said.

The Minister is of the view that a reduction of vehicles that enter the city limits during the day would occur after commencing this proposed tube train system.

It is said that subway rail systems have become the common mode of transport in many thickly populated major cities in the European and several Asian countries. It is also currently operated in the neighbouring India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.

Asked which areas, will be covered under this novel system, Minister Amaraweera said that steps will be taken to construct this large railway network covering the cities of Borella, Orugodawatta, Narahenpita, Kirulapona, Bambalapitiya and Wellawatta.
