Coastal line (Sri Lanka)

Last updated
Coastal line
SriLanka-Independence - 4 Feb 2019 (6).jpg
A train running on the coastal line
Overview
StatusFunctioning
Owner Sri Lanka Railways
Locale Sri Lanka
Termini
Website www.railway.gov.lk
Service
Type Intercity rail
System Sri Lanka Railways
Services Ruhunu Kumari Express Train
Galu Kumari Express Train
Samudra Devi
Sagarika
Rajarata Rejini Express Train
Operator(s) Sri Lanka Railways
History
Opened17 December 1895;
128 years ago
 (1895-12-17)[ citation needed ]
Technical
Line length157.88 km (98.10 mi)
Number of tracksDouble track: Colombo Fort to Paiyagala South
Single track: Paiyagala South to Beliatta
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification No
Operating speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map
BSicon exdKBHFa.svg
Katharagama
BSicon exdBHF.svg
Hambantota
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Beliatta
BSicon HST.svg
Dedduwawala
BSicon HST.svg
Wavurukannala
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Akurubebila Tunnel
BSicon HST.svg
Babarenda
BSicon HST.svg
Kekanadura
BSicon TUNNEL1.svg
Nakuttiyagama Tunnel
BSicon HST.svg
Weherahena
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Nilwala Ganga
BSicon HST.svg
Piladuwa
BSicon BHF.svg
Matara
BSicon HST.svg
Walgama
BSicon HST.svg
Kamburugamuwa
BSicon HST.svg
Mirissa
BSicon HST.svg
Polwathumodara
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Polwatta Ganga
BSicon HST.svg
Weligama
BSicon HST.svg
Kubalgama
BSicon HST.svg
Midigama
BSicon HST.svg
Ahangama
BSicon HST.svg
Kathaluwa
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Koggala Lagoon
BSicon HST.svg
Koggala
BSicon HST.svg
Habaraduwa
BSicon HST.svg
Talpe
BSicon HST.svg
Unawatuna
BSicon HST.svg
Katugoda
BSicon ABZl+l.svg
BSicon KBHFeq.svg
Galle
BSicon HST.svg
Richmond Hill
BSicon HST.svg
Piyadigama
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Ginthota
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Gin Ganga
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Boossa
BSicon HST.svg
Rajgama
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Dodanduwa
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Rathgama Lagoon
BSicon HST.svg
Kumarakanda
BSicon HST.svg
Thiranagama
BSicon BHF.svg
Hikkaduwa
BSicon HST.svg
Sinigama
BSicon HST.svg
Telwatta
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Kahawa
BSicon HST.svg
Akurala
BSicon HST.svg
Madampagama
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Madampe Lagoon
BSicon BHF.svg
Ambalangoda
BSicon HST.svg
Kandegoda
BSicon HST.svg
Andadola
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Madu Ganga
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Balapitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Pathagangoda
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Ahungalla
BSicon HST.svg
Piyagama
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Kosgoda
BSicon HST.svg
Maha Induruwa
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Induruwa
BSicon HST.svg
Bentota
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Benthota Ganga
BSicon BHF.svg
Aluthgama
BSicon HST.svg
Hettimulla
BSicon BHF.svg
Beruwala
BSicon HST.svg
Maggona
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon HST-M.svg
BSicon HST-R.svg
Paiyagala South
BSicon HST.svg
Paiyagala North
BSicon HST.svg
Katukurunda
BSicon BHF.svg
Kalutara South
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Kalu Ganga
BSicon HST.svg
Kalutara North
BSicon HST.svg
Train Halt No 01
BSicon HST.svg
Wadduwa
BSicon HST.svg
Pinwatta
BSicon BHF.svg
Panadura
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Bolgoda Lake
BSicon HST.svg
Egoda Uyana
BSicon HST.svg
Koralawalla
BSicon BHF.svg
Moratuwa
BSicon HST.svg
Lunawa
BSicon HST.svg
Angulana
BSicon ENDEa.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon DST.svg
BSicon BHF.svg
Ratmalana & Running Shed
BSicon STRl.svg
BSicon ABZg+r.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Mount Lavinia
BSicon BHF.svg
Dehiwala
BSicon HST.svg
Wellawatta
BSicon HST.svg
Bambalapitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Kollupitiya
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Beira Lake
BSicon HST.svg
Kompanna Vidiya
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
Beira Lake
BSicon HST.svg
Secretariat Halt
BSicon STR+l.svg
BSicon ABZgr.svg
BSicon XBHF-L.svg
BSicon XBHF-R.svg
Colombo Fort
BSicon XBHF-L.svg
BSicon XBHF-R.svg
Maradana
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BSicon STRr.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon CONTf.svg
Main Line

The coastal line (sometimes referred to as the coast line or the southern line) is a major railway line in Sri Lanka, running between Colombo Fort and Beliatta, via Galle and Matara. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country. The line has been extended to Beliatta on 8 April 2019 [1] and is proposed to be extended to Kataragama, via Hambantota. With a designed maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) between Kalutara and Matara, and a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) between Matara and Beliatta, [2] the line is one of the fastest in Sri Lanka. [3]

Contents

Route definition

The Coastal line begins at Maradana Station and runs west towards Colombo Fort. It then turns south and runs through much of Colombo parallel to the beaches on the city's west coast, passing many commuter rail stations, such as Slave Island. It passes Panadura before reaching Kalutara. The commuter rail services end as the line continues south along the coast towards Galle.

Galle station is designed as a terminus station. Thus trains have to back out of the station to continue towards Matara and Beliatta. Beliatta is the current terminus of the Coast line, though extension is under construction to Hambantota and Kataragama.

History

Construction and launch

Halting place Secretariat Halt in Colombo ColomboSecretariat Halt.jpg
Halting place Secretariat Halt in Colombo
Intercity train at Galle Station SRI LANKAN RAILWAYS CLASS S11 AT GALLE SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8492287492).jpg
Intercity train at Galle Station

This line was the second railway line in Sri Lanka. Construction works started after Colombo–Kandy–Badulla Main Line. On 1 March 1877 first train up to Panadura was commenced. On 1 February 1878, trains ran up to Kalutara and one year after that on 1 February 1879 Wadduwa Station was declared open. On 22 September 1879 inaugural opening of Kalutara North and Kalutara South Stations and ran first train to Kalutara South. On 31 March 1890 line extended to Kalutara South to Aluthgama. Then up to Kosgoda on 8 September 1892 and Kosgoda to Ambalangoda on 15 November 1893. On 7 May 1894 British government completed the construction works to Galle. After nearly a year and half later on 17 December 1895 train services to Matara commenced.[ citation needed ]

Twentieth-century growth

Architecture at Galle station GALLE RAILWAY STATION SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8492488526).jpg
Architecture at Galle station

In the mid-twentieth century, the coastal line experienced many changes to accommodate growing traffic. Galle Station was upgraded with better facilities and modern architecture. Express trains began serving the line, including the now celebrated Ruhunu Kumari. Along with the rest of the railway network, diesel traction replaced steam locomotives on all services. [4]

Tsunami disaster and aftermath

The railway line was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A train was swept off the track, killing more than 1500, in the worst rail disaster in history. [5]

A train at Galle station SRI LANKAN RAILWAYS CLASS S11 TRAIN BOUND FOR MATARA AT GALLE STATION SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8520226243).jpg
A train at Galle station

Track upgrade

A train arriving Galle station SRI LANKAN RAILWAYS CLASS M7 LOCO HAULED TRAIN AT GALLE STATION SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8553523801).jpg
A train arriving Galle station
Matara Railway Station MataraHbf.jpg
Matara Railway Station
Piladuwa, a new halting place in the east of Matara MataraHaltepktPiladuwa.jpg
Piladuwa, a new halting place in the east of Matara
New railway track in the east of Matara, opened in 2019 MataraNewRailwayTrack.jpg
New railway track in the east of Matara, opened in 2019

In 2011–2012, the Coastal Line underwent complete reconstruction between Kalutara and Matara, to upgrade the track. The line was upgraded to be able to handle trains at 100 km/h (62 mph), allowing for shorter journey times and smoother service. The upgrade included replacing the rails and sleepers to ensure smoother and safer operation. The previously 3-hours-and-forty-minute travel time between Colombo and Matara has been reduced to just two hours. [3]

Matara–Kataragama extension

The railway is being extended from Matara to Kataragama in the Southern Railway project. [6]

Phase 1 extended the railway 26.8 km from Matara to Beliatta at a cost of US$278 million. The China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation broke ground on Phase 1 in 2013. The line includes two bridges of 1.5 km and 1.04 km in length, the longest on Sri Lanka's railway network. There is also a 615 meter long tunnel at Kekanadura. [6] The maximum track speed is 120 km/h (75 mph). [2] The Matara–Beliatta extension with four new railway stations and four halting places opened to traffic on 8 April 2019, [6] the first new railway built in Sri Lanka since independence from Great Britain in 1948. [7]

Phase 2 will serve the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota at a cost of US$600 million, and Phase 3 will reach Kataragama. [6] The alignment shifts inland after Beliatta to protect sensitive natural habitats along the coast and minimise damage to property. A feasibility study and an environment impact assessment for the Beliatta to Hambantota and Kataragama phases of construction has been approved by the Cabinet. [2] Construction has not yet begun as of April 2019. [6]

Operators and service providers

Sri Lanka Railways operates passenger services on the coastal line.

Rajadhani Express operates a premium service on certain Sri Lanka Railways trains on the coastal line, in partnership with Sri Lanka Railways.

Infrastructure

The coastal line has a gauge of 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. [8]

The coastal line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. However, there are plans to electrify the commuter-rail network, within the Colombo metropolitan area. This includes the coastal-line segment between Colombo Fort and Panadura. [9]

In February 2017 a project to expand the single-track railway to a double-track railway from Kalutara to Paiyagala was launched. [10]

Timetable

Downwards

Train No.Starting stationDeparture timeDestination stationArrival timeNameFrequency
8708Aluthgama04.05Galle06.40Mon. to Fri.
Maradana04.30Panadura05.25Daily
Maradana05.05Panadura05.53Daily
Maradana05.38Kalutara South07.15Daily
Maradana05.52Panadura06.47Mon. to Sat.
8060Maradana06.05Beliatta09.16Sat. and Sun.
Maradana06.24Panadura07.19Mon. to Fri.
8050Maradana06.30Beliatta11.21Daily
8719Aluthgama06.30Galle08.17Mon. to Fri.
Galle06.50Matara07.59Saturday only
Maradana06.53Moratuwa07.28Mon. to Fri.
Maradana07.00Panadura07.51Mon. to Fri.
Maradana07.00Panadura08.40Sat. and Sun.
Galle07.00Matara08.16Mon. to Fri. and Sunday
Maradana07.17Moratuwa08.01Mon. to Fri.
Maradana07.27Panadura08.25Sat. and Sun.
Maradana07.31Panadura08.40Mon. to Fri.
Maradana07.35Mount Lavinia08.15Mon. to Fri.
Maradana07.54Panadura08.51Mon. to Fri.
Maradana08.06Moratuwa08.50Mon. to Fri.
Maradana08.11Mount Lavinia08.46Mon. to Sat.
Maradana08.28Mount Lavinia09.06Sundays and Holidays
Colombo Fort08.35Matara11.50Daily
Maradana08.35Kalutara South10.01Daily
Maradana09.05Kalutara South11.17Daily
Mount Lavinia09.35Aluthgama10.53Sat. and Sun.
Kalutara South10.10Aluthgama10.42Daily
8086Colombo Fort10.30Beliatta14.42Rajarata RejiniDaily
Maradana11.10Aluthgama13.07Daily
Maradana12.05Kalutara South13.29Mon. to Fri.
Maradana12.30Kalutara South13.54Sat. and Sun.
8788Aluthgama13.15Galle15.10Daily
Maradana13.30Panadura14.25Mon. to Fri.
Ginthota13.40Galle13.50Mon. to Fri.
Maradana14.05Aluthgama16.11Daily
8056Maradana14.15Beliatta18.25Daily
Galle14.15Matara15.31Mon. to Fri.
Maradana14.30Panadura15.35Daily
8054Maradana15.00Beliatta18.25Dhakshina Express (Intercity)Daily
Maradana15.20Panadura16.27Daily
8058Maradana15.40Matara18.20Ruhunu KumariDaily
Maradana15.50Mount Lavinia16.32Mon. to Fri.
Maradana16.00Moratuwa16.39Mon. to Fri.
Maradana16.10Kalutara South17.15Mon. to Fri.
Maradana16.15Kalutara South17.39Mon. to Fri.
Maradana16.25Panadura17.15Mon. to Fri.
8096Maradana16.40Beliatta20.04SagarikaMon. to Fri.
Maradana16.40Hikkaduwa18.56Sunday only
Maradana16.45Induruwa18.34Mon. to Fri.
Maradana16.45Aluthgama18.51Sat. and Sun.
Maradana16.55Hikkaduwa18.51Mon. to Fri.
Maradana17.10Wadduwa18.23Mon. to Fri.
8096Maradana17.20Galle19.33SagarikaSat. and Sun.
8760Maradana17.25Galle20.10Samudra DeviMon. to Fri.
8764Maradana17.30Galle21.07Mon. to Fri.
Maradana17.40Aluthgama19.51Mon. to Fri.
8766Maradana17.50Beliatta22.15Mon. to Fri.
8764Maradana17.50Galle21.22Sat. and Sun.
Colombo Fort17.52Matara20.42Sunday only
Maradana17.55Matara21.38Mon. to Fri.
Maradana18.10Aluthgama20.07Daily
Maradana18.25Aluthgama20.45Daily
8775Maradana18.45Galle22.55Night MailDaily
Maradana19.45Aluthgama21.40Monday to Friday and Sunday
Maradana19.45Panadura20.40Saturday only
Colombo Fort20.00Mount Lavinia20.31Daily
Colombo Fort20.19Moratuwa21.00Special Trains8/3
Maradana20.35Panadura22.10Mon. to Fri.
Maradana20.35Kalutara South21.57Sunday only
Maradana21.30Aluthgama23.25Daily

Upwards

Starting stationDeparture timeDestination stationTimeNameFrequency
Aluthgama03.20Colombo Fort05.10Daily
Galle03.40Maradana07.01Night MailMon. to Fri.
Aluthgama03.50Colombo Fort05.40Daily
Galle04.15Maradana07.45Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama04.30Colombo Fort06.22Mon. to Sat.
Matara04.55Maradana08.16SagarikaMon. to Fri.
Galle05.00Maradana07.54Samudra DeviMon. to Sat.
Matara05.05Galle06.50Mon. to Fri.
Mount Lavinia05.10Colombo Fort05.35IntercityDaily
Aluthgama05.20Maradana07.28Mon. to Fri.
Galle05.25Kalutara South07.45Mon. to Fri.
Hikkaduwa05.25Maradana07.50Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama05.25Maradana07.40Sat. and Sun.
Mount Lavinia05.50Colombo Fort06.17YaldeviDaily
Matara06.05Maradana08.49Ruhunu KumariDaily
Aluthgama06.05Maradana08.08Mon. to Fri.
Matara06.10Maradana09.38Galu KumariMon. to Fri. and Sun.
Panadura06.10Maradana07.07Daily
Panadura06.30Maradana07.41Mon. to Fri.
Panadura06.55Colombo Fort07.42Mon. to Sat.
Aluthgama07.00Maradana09.30Mon. to Fri.
Matara07.10Galle08.13Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South07.20Colombo Fort08.33Mon. to Fri.
Panadura07.30Maradana08.28Not on Sundays (Mon. to Sat.)
Moratuwa07.50Maradana08.34Not on Saturdays and Sundays (Mon. to Fri.)
Panadura08.05Maradana09.07Daily
Moratuwa08.05Maradana08.46Mon. to Fri.
Galle09.00Colombo Fort13.03Mon. to Sat.
Moratuwa09.00Maradana09.42Mon. to Fri.
Panadura09.15Maradana10.13Working days only
Mount Lavinia09.15Maradana09.50Mon. to Sat.
Panadura09.35Maradana10.41Daily
Matara09.40Colombo Fort13.15Rajarata RejiniDaily
Matara10.25Galle11.33Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South10.45Maradana12.10Daily
Kalutara South12.20Maradana14.15Daily
Galle13.05Aluthgama14.43Daily
Galle13.15Ginthota13.25Mon. to Fri.
Matara13.35Colombo Fort17.14Daily
Aluthgama13.40Maradana15.31Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South13.40Maradana15.01Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama13.40Maradana15.35Sat. and Sun.
Galle13.55Aluthgama15.59Mon. to Fri.
Matara14.10Maradana18.12Daily
Panadura15.00Maradana15.55Mon. to Fri.
Matara15.15Galle16.18Daily
Panadura16.10Colombo Fort17.11Daily
Mount Lavinia16.10Colombo Fort16.42Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama16.15Colombo Fort18.33Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama16.15Colombo Fort18.45Sat. and Sun.
Moratuwa16.45Colombo Fort17.18Mon. to Fri.
Matara17.00Galle18.16Mon. to Fri.
Galle17.05Aluthgama18.57Daily
Panadura17.05Colombo Fort18.04Daily
Moratuwa17.10Colombo Fort17.49Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South17.30Colombo Fort18.36Mon. to Fri.
Panadura17.40Colombo Fort18.29Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South17.45Colombo Fort18.52Mon. to Fri.
Wadduwa18.30Maradana19.35Mon. to Fri.

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References

  1. "Beliatta – Matara railway service launched". Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Range, Irangika (5 August 2013). "Wheels move on work on Matale-Beliatta track". Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Dissanayake, Ridma (11 April 2012). "Southern railway line re-opens today". Ceylon Daily News. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  4. Perera, B. B. "Rampala regime in the local Railway History". The Island. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  5. "Survivors tell of tsunami train horror". BBC News. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sri Lanka opens first phase of China-financed Southern Railway line". Railway Gazette. 9 April 2019.
  7. Patranobis, Sutirtho (9 April 2019). "Under Belt and Road Initiative, China builds rail line in Sri Lanka, a first since 1948". Hindustan Times.
  8. "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
  9. "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  10. "Daily mirror | Tamil Mirror | Mirror Sports | e-paper | Hi TV | Life Online | Mirror Citizen | Wisden Project to convert single-track to double -track launched" . Retrieved 9 February 2017.