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]
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
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
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]
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
Track upgrade
A train arriving Galle station
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 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.
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]
^"Beliatta – Matara railway service launched". Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
^ abcRange, Irangika (5 August 2013). . Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ abDissanayake, Ridma (11 April 2012). . Ceylon Daily News. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
^Perera, B. B. "Rampala regime in the local Railway History". The Island. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
^"Survivors tell of tsunami train horror". BBC News. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
^ abcde"Sri Lanka opens first phase of China-financed Southern Railway line". Railway Gazette. 9 April 2019.
^Patranobis, Sutirtho (9 April 2019). "Under Belt and Road Initiative, China builds rail line in Sri Lanka, a first since 1948". Hindustan Times.
^"The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
^. Sri Lanka Railways. Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
^"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.
January 29, 2023
coastal, line, lanka, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, coastal, line, lanka, news, newspapers, books,. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Coastal line Sri Lanka news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message 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 Coastal lineA train running on the coastal lineOverviewStatusFunctioningOwnerSri Lanka RailwaysLocaleSri LankaTerminiColombo FortBeliattaWebsitewww railway gov lkServiceTypeIntercity railSystemSri Lanka RailwaysServicesRuhunu Kumari Express TrainGalu Kumari Express TrainSamudra DeviSagarikaRajarata Rejini Express TrainOperator s Sri Lanka RailwaysHistoryOpened17 December 1895 127 years ago 1895 12 17 citation needed TechnicalLine length157 88 km 98 10 mi Number of tracksDouble track Colombo Fort to Paiyagala South Single track Paiyagala South to BeliattaTrack gauge1 676 mm 5 ft 6 in ElectrificationNoOperating speed100 km h 62 mph Route mapvteCoastal LineLegendKatharagamaHambantotaBeliattaDedduwawalaWavurukannalaAkurubebila TunnelBabarendaKekanaduraNakuttiyagama TunnelWeherahenaNilwala GangaPiladuwaMataraWalgamaKamburugamuwaMirissaPolwathumodaraPolwatta GangaWeligamaKubalgamaMidigamaAhangamaKathaluwaKoggala LagoonKoggalaHabaraduwaTalpeUnawatunaKatugodaGalleRichmond HillPiyadigamaGinthotaGin GangaBoossaRajgamaDodanduwaRathgama LagoonKumarakandaThiranagamaHikkaduwaTelwattaSinigamaKahawaAkuralaMadampagamaMadampe LagoonAmbalangodaKandegodaAndadolaMadu GangaBalapitiyaPathagangodaAhungallaKosgodaMaha InduruwaInduruwaBentotaBenthota GangaAluthgamaHettimullaBeruwalaMaggonaPaiyagala SouthPaiyagala NorthKatukurundaKalutara SouthKalu GangaKalutara NorthTrain Halt No 01WadduwaPinwattaPanaduraBolgoda LakeEgoda UyanaKoralawallaMoratuwaLunawaAngulanaRatmalana amp Running ShedMount LaviniaDehiwalaWellawattaBambalapitiyaKollupitiyaBeira LakeKompanna VidiyaBeira LakeSecretariat HaltColombo FortMaradanaKelani Valley railway lineMain Line Contents 1 Route definition 2 History 2 1 Construction and launch 2 2 Twentieth century growth 2 3 Tsunami disaster and aftermath 2 4 Track upgrade 2 5 Matara Kataragama extension 3 Operators and service providers 4 Infrastructure 5 Timetable 5 1 Downwards 5 2 Upwards 6 ReferencesRoute definition EditThe 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 EditConstruction and launch Edit 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 Edit 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 Edit Main article 2004 Sri Lanka tsunami train wreck 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 Track upgrade Edit A train arriving Galle station 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 Edit 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 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 EditSri 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 EditThe 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 EditDownwards Edit Train No Starting station Departure time Destination station Arrival time Name Frequency8708 Aluthgama 04 05 Galle 06 40 Mon to Fri Maradana 04 30 Panadura 05 25 DailyMaradana 05 05 Panadura 05 53 DailyMaradana 05 38 Kalutara South 07 15 DailyMaradana 05 52 Panadura 06 47 Mon to Sat 8060 Maradana 06 05 Beliatta 09 16 Sat and Sun Maradana 06 24 Panadura 07 19 Mon to Fri 8050 Maradana 06 30 Beliatta 11 21 Daily8719 Aluthgama 06 30 Galle 08 17 Mon to Fri Galle 06 50 Matara 07 59 Saturday onlyMaradana 06 53 Moratuwa 07 28 Mon to Fri Maradana 07 00 Panadura 07 51 Mon to Fri Maradana 07 00 Panadura 08 40 Sat and Sun Galle 07 00 Matara 08 16 Mon to Fri and SundayMaradana 07 17 Moratuwa 08 01 Mon to Fri Maradana 07 27 Panadura 08 25 Sat and Sun Maradana 07 31 Panadura 08 40 Mon to Fri Maradana 07 35 Mount Lavinia 08 15 Mon to Fri Maradana 07 54 Panadura 08 51 Mon to Fri Maradana 08 06 Moratuwa 08 50 Mon to Fri Maradana 08 11 Mount Lavinia 08 46 Mon to Sat Maradana 08 28 Mount Lavinia 09 06 Sundays and HolidaysColombo Fort 08 35 Matara 11 50 DailyMaradana 08 35 Kalutara South 10 01 DailyMaradana 09 05 Kalutara South 11 17 DailyMount Lavinia 09 35 Aluthgama 10 53 Sat and Sun Kalutara South 10 10 Aluthgama 10 42 Daily8086 Colombo Fort 10 30 Beliatta 14 42 Rajarata Rejini DailyMaradana 11 10 Aluthgama 13 07 DailyMaradana 12 05 Kalutara South 13 29 Mon to Fri Maradana 12 30 Kalutara South 13 54 Sat and Sun 8788 Aluthgama 13 15 Galle 15 10 DailyMaradana 13 30 Panadura 14 25 Mon to Fri Ginthota 13 40 Galle 13 50 Mon to Fri Maradana 14 05 Aluthgama 16 11 Daily8056 Maradana 14 15 Beliatta 18 25 DailyGalle 14 15 Matara 15 31 Mon to Fri Maradana 14 30 Panadura 15 35 Daily8054 Maradana 15 00 Beliatta 18 25 Dhakshina Express Intercity DailyMaradana 15 20 Panadura 16 27 Daily8058 Maradana 15 40 Matara 18 20 Ruhunu Kumari DailyMaradana 15 50 Mount Lavinia 16 32 Mon to Fri Maradana 16 00 Moratuwa 16 39 Mon to Fri Maradana 16 10 Kalutara South 17 15 Mon to Fri Maradana 16 15 Kalutara South 17 39 Mon to Fri Maradana 16 25 Panadura 17 15 Mon to Fri 8096 Maradana 16 40 Beliatta 20 04 Sagarika Mon to Fri Maradana 16 40 Hikkaduwa 18 56 Sunday onlyMaradana 16 45 Induruwa 18 34 Mon to Fri Maradana 16 45 Aluthgama 18 51 Sat and Sun Maradana 16 55 Hikkaduwa 18 51 Mon to Fri Maradana 17 10 Wadduwa 18 23 Mon to Fri 8096 Maradana 17 20 Galle 19 33 Sagarika Sat and Sun 8760 Maradana 17 25 Galle 20 10 Samudra Devi Mon to Fri 8764 Maradana 17 30 Galle 21 07 Mon to Fri Maradana 17 40 Aluthgama 19 51 Mon to Fri 8766 Maradana 17 50 Beliatta 22 15 Mon to Fri 8764 Maradana 17 50 Galle 21 22 Sat and Sun Colombo Fort 17 52 Matara 20 42 Sunday onlyMaradana 17 55 Matara 21 38 Mon to Fri Maradana 18 10 Aluthgama 20 07 DailyMaradana 18 25 Aluthgama 20 45 Daily8775 Maradana 18 45 Galle 22 55 Night Mail DailyMaradana 19 45 Aluthgama 21 40 Monday to Friday and SundayMaradana 19 45 Panadura 20 40 Saturday onlyColombo Fort 20 00 Mount Lavinia 20 31 DailyColombo Fort 20 19 Moratuwa 21 00 Special Trains 8 3Maradana 20 35 Panadura 22 10 Mon to Fri Maradana 20 35 Kalutara South 21 57 Sunday onlyMaradana 21 30 Aluthgama 23 25 DailyUpwards Edit Starting station Departure time Destination station Time Name FrequencyAluthgama 03 20 Colombo Fort 05 10 DailyGalle 03 40 Maradana 07 01 Night Mail Mon to Fri Aluthgama 03 50 Colombo Fort 05 40 DailyGalle 04 15 Maradana 07 45 Mon to Fri Aluthgama 04 30 Colombo Fort 06 22 Mon to Sat Matara 04 55 Maradana 08 16 Sagarika Mon to Fri Galle 05 00 Maradana 07 54 Samudra Devi Mon to Sat Matara 05 05 Galle 06 50 Mon to Fri Mount Lavinia 05 10 Colombo Fort 05 35 Intercity DailyAluthgama 05 20 Maradana 07 28 Mon to Fri Galle 05 25 Kalutara South 07 45 Mon to Fri Hikkaduwa 05 25 Maradana 07 50 Mon to Fri Aluthgama 05 25 Maradana 07 40 Sat and Sun Mount Lavinia 05 50 Colombo Fort 06 17 Yaldevi DailyMatara 06 05 Maradana 08 49 Ruhunu Kumari DailyAluthgama 06 05 Maradana 08 08 Mon to Fri Matara 06 10 Maradana 09 38 Galu Kumari Mon to Fri and Sun Panadura 06 10 Maradana 07 07 DailyPanadura 06 30 Maradana 07 41 Mon to Fri Panadura 06 55 Colombo Fort 07 42 Mon to Sat Aluthgama 07 00 Maradana 09 30 Mon to Fri Matara 07 10 Galle 08 13 Mon to Fri Kalutara South 07 20 Colombo Fort 08 33 Mon to Fri Panadura 07 30 Maradana 08 28 Not on Sundays Mon to Sat Moratuwa 07 50 Maradana 08 34 Not on Saturdays and Sundays Mon to Fri Panadura 08 05 Maradana 09 07 DailyMoratuwa 08 05 Maradana 08 46 Mon to Fri Galle 09 00 Colombo Fort 13 03 Mon to Sat Moratuwa 09 00 Maradana 09 42 Mon to Fri Panadura 09 15 Maradana 10 13 Working days onlyMount Lavinia 09 15 Maradana 09 50 Mon to Sat Panadura 09 35 Maradana 10 41 DailyMatara 09 40 Colombo Fort 13 15 Rajarata Rejini DailyMatara 10 25 Galle 11 33 Mon to Fri Kalutara South 10 45 Maradana 12 10 DailyKalutara South 12 20 Maradana 14 15 DailyGalle 13 05 Aluthgama 14 43 DailyGalle 13 15 Ginthota 13 25 Mon to Fri Matara 13 35 Colombo Fort 17 14 DailyAluthgama 13 40 Maradana 15 31 Mon to Fri Kalutara South 13 40 Maradana 15 01 Mon to Fri Aluthgama 13 40 Maradana 15 35 Sat and Sun Galle 13 55 Aluthgama 15 59 Mon to Fri Matara 14 10 Maradana 18 12 DailyPanadura 15 00 Maradana 15 55 Mon to Fri Matara 15 15 Galle 16 18 DailyPanadura 16 10 Colombo Fort 17 11 DailyMount Lavinia 16 10 Colombo Fort 16 42 Mon to Fri Aluthgama 16 15 Colombo Fort 18 33 Mon to Fri Aluthgama 16 15 Colombo Fort 18 45 Sat and Sun Moratuwa 16 45 Colombo Fort 17 18 Mon to Fri Matara 17 00 Galle 18 16 Mon to Fri Galle 17 05 Aluthgama 18 57 DailyPanadura 17 05 Colombo Fort 18 04 DailyMoratuwa 17 10 Colombo Fort 17 49 Mon to Fri Kalutara South 17 30 Colombo Fort 18 36 Mon to Fri Panadura 17 40 Colombo Fort 18 29 Mon to Fri Kalutara South 17 45 Colombo Fort 18 52 Mon to Fri Wadduwa 18 30 Maradana 19 35 Mon to Fri References Edit Beliatta Matara railway service launched Daily News The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd 8 April 2019 Retrieved 8 April 2019 a b c 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 a b 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 Perera B B Rampala regime in the local Railway History The Island Retrieved 7 January 2013 Survivors tell of tsunami train horror BBC News 30 December 2004 Retrieved 1 July 2012 a b c d e Sri Lanka opens first phase of China financed Southern Railway line Railway Gazette 9 April 2019 Patranobis Sutirtho 9 April 2019 Under Belt and Road Initiative China builds rail line in Sri Lanka a first since 1948 Hindustan Times The Island Rampala regime in the local Railway History 2010 07 19 Future Plans Sri Lanka Railways Archived from the original on 2012 02 01 Retrieved 2012 02 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Coastal line Sri Lanka amp oldid 1129581040, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
