Private sector steps up support for Yal Devi restoration

By Nizla Naizer

The Yal Devi project has received a boost of confidence after several institutions in the private sector pledged Rs. 153.1 million out of the Rs. 313.9 million required to reconstruct 27 stations, sub-stations and halts along the 170 km stretch from Vavuniya to KKS.
Commercial Bank has pledged to construct the Navatkuli station (387 km from Colombo) at an estimated cost of Rs. 16.8 million, the private sector firms are joined by various local government bodies and political parties. Renovation of the Vavuniya station has been undertaken by Kelani Cables PLC with Ceylon Tobacco Company, International Construction Consortium, Janashakthi Organization, Lanka Nest and Sampath Bank among the private sector contributors.
From the state entities People’s Bank that has pledged to construct the Pallai station (356 km from Colombo) at an estimated cost of Rs. 16.8 million.
“With this initiative taken by the private sector, half our cost in completing the Yal Devi project is covered,” Project Coordinator Major General Asoka Amunugama told The Bottom Line.
Construction on the damaged or destroyed stations began on the beginning of October. The Vavuniya station has been completed along with the Thandikulam substation but Amunugama explained that Omanthai is still under construction and the remaining stations will be constructed after security clearance is provided.
He said that while the request to be involved came from the Ministry of Transport, the private sector responded willingly as the benefits of establishing a platform in the North is now quite evident. “They understand that Yal Devi was the live wire that kept both communities connected and together in the past and the only way to renew this friendship is to have the track completed.”
There are economical benefits in establishing a presence along the track, he explained. ”There are plenty of remittances coming in from the North,” he said. “And by investing in these stations, these companies can have a prominent location to market their products and services, with billboards, hoardings and outlets.” Each main station is expected to cost Rs. 22.3 million, substations Rs. 16.8 million and the halts, Rs. 4.9 million to construct.
The Yal Devi project is expected to link Vavuniya to KKS in Jaffna within two years at an estimated cost of Rs. 14 billion. Currently the ‘Uthuru Mithuru’ fund set up by the Government has accumulated Rs. 14,032,923 through online donations since its inception in June. Amunugama explained that the support from Sri Lankans living abroad has been noteworthy with 50% of the funds contributed by sources abroad.
The Government also launched a Rs.1000 ‘Uthuru Mithuru’ ticket which could be used for a single journey all the way to Jaffna once the track was completed. However, the sale of tickets which are available at all stations and substations across the island has not been too successful, and Amunugama said that the television campaign launched at the beginning of this month will hopefully bring in more funds.
Commenting on the recent controversy over the sms alert declaring that an important national event will take place on television as a message from the Government, he commented that over enthusiasm for the campaign which shows a community united in its efforts to reestablish the line prompted the message. “It was a misunderstanding and nothing deeper should be read into it. The advertisement itself is important as it shows the effort of all communities to link the north and the south and was filmed closer to Vavuniya.”
The track currently reaches Pudumathalan from Vavuniya. Plans are underway to reach Omanthai – a distance of 12 km, within the next two months. Amunugama explained that 10 km had already been cleared by the Army with de-mining complete in the entire distance of 12 km. “We have prepared the track for 5km with compressed ABC mixtures applied; we only need to lay the line to have the next stretch accessible.”
The entire project will call on the efforts of the Railway Department along with the Army, Navy and Air Force.