Coastal Line (Sri Lanka)

Coastal Line

Intercity train at Galle Station
Overview
Type Intercity rail
System Sri Lanka Railways
Status Functioning
Locale Sri Lanka
Termini Colombo Fort
Matara
Website www.railway.gov.lk
Operation
Opened 17 December 1895
Owner Sri Lanka Railways
Operator(s) Sri Lanka Railways
Technical
Line length 157.88 km (98.10 mi)
Number of tracks Double track: Colombo Fort to Panadura
Single track: Panadura to Matara
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification No
Operating speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map

Coastal Line

Legend
 Beliatta
 Wavurukannala
 Babarenda
 Kekanadura
 Matara
 Walgama
 Kamburugamuwa
 Mirissa
 Polwathumodara
 Polwatta Ganga
 Weligama
 Kubalgama
 Midigama
 Ahangama
 Kathaluwa
 Koggala Ganga
 Koggala
 Habaraduwa
 Talpe
 Unawatuna
 Katugoda
Galle
 Richmond Hill
 Kepu ela
 Piyadigama
 Ginthota
 Gin Ganga
 Boossa
 Rajgama
 Dodanduwa
 Rathgama Lake
 Kumarakannda
 Thiranagama
 Hikkaduwa
 Telwatta
 Kahawa
 Akurala
 Madampagama
 Madampe Lake
 Ambalangoda
 Kandegoda
 Balapitiya
 Ahungalla
 Kosgoda
 Maha Induruwa
 Induruwa
 Bentota
 Benthota Ganga
 Aluthgama
 Hettimulla
 Beruwala
 Maggona
 Payagala South
 Payagala North
 Katukurunda
 Kalutara South
 Kalu Ganga
 Kalutara North
 Train Halt No 01
 Wadduwa
 Pinwatta
 Panadura
 Bolgoda Lake
 Egoda Uyana
 Koralawalla
 Moratuwa
 Lunawa
 Angulana
Ratmalana & Running Shed
Mount Lavinia
 Dehiwala
 Dehiwala Canal
 Wellawatta
 Kirillapone Chanal
 Bambalapitiya
 Kollupitiya
 Beira Lake
 Slave Island (Kompanna Vidiya)
 Beira Lake
 Secretariat Halt
 The Canal
Colombo Fort
St. Sebastian Canal
Maradana
Kelani Valley railway line
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 Matara, via Galle. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country. The line is currently being extended to Beliatta and is proposed to be extended to Kataragama, via Hambantota. With a designed maximum speed of 100 km/h between Kalutara and Matara, and a proposed maximum speed of 120 km/h between Matara and Beliatta,[1] the line is one of the fastest in Sri Lanka.[2]

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. Matara is the current terminus of the Coast Line, though extension is under construction to Hambantota and Kataragama.

History

Construction and launch

A train running on the coastal line

This line was the second railway line in Sri Lanka. Construction works started after Colombo-Kandy-Badulla Main Line. On 1st of March 1877 first train up to Panadura was commenced. On 1st of February 1878, trains ran up to Kalutara and one year after that on 1st of 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.

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.[3]

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.[4]

A train at Galle station

Augmentation of Coastal Line in 2011-2012 period

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, 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.[2]

The line is currently being extended to reach Hambantota and Kataragama.[5] The first phase is an extension of the line to Beliatta. Stations will be built along the phase-1 extension at Kekanadura, Babarenda, Wavurukannala and Beliatta.[6] Trains are planned to travel at 120 km/h on the new track.[1]

For the second phase extension between Beliatta and Hambantota, the new railway line is proposed to shift inland, compared to the coastal alignment west of Beliatta. This would protect natural habitat on the coastal belt and minimise damage to property. A feasibility study and an environment impact assessment for the Beliatta to Hambantota and Kataragama phases of construction, connecting Hambantota, Angunakolapelassa, Wetiya Junction; Andarawewa, Mattala and Lunugamvehera, was approved by the Cabinet.[1]

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 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge.[7]

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.[8]

Time Table

Downwards

Starting Station Departure Time Destination Station Arrival Time Name Frequency
Aluthgama 04.05 Galle 06.40 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 04.30 Panadura 05.25 Daily
Maradana 05.05 Panadura 05.53 Daily
Maradana 05.38 Kalutara South 07.15 Daily
Maradana 05.52 Panadura 06.47 Mon. to Sat.
Maradana 06.05 Matara 08.50 Sat. and Sun.
Maradana 06.24 Panadura 07.19 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 06.30 Matara 10.42 Daily
Aluthgama 06.30 Galle 08.17 Mon. to Fri.
Galle 06.50 Matara 07.59 Saturday only
Maradana 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 Sunday
Maradana 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 Holidays
Colombo Fort 08.35 Matara 11.50 Daily
Maradana 08.35 Kalutara South 10.01 Daily
Maradana 09.05 Kalutara South 11.17 Daily
Mount Lavinia 09.35 Aluthgama 10.53 Sat. and Sun.
Kalutara South 10.10 Aluthgama 10.42 Daily
Colombo Fort 10.30 Matara 13.50 Rajarata Rejini Daily
Maradana 11.10 Aluthgama 13.07 Daily
Maradana 12.05 Kalutara South 13.29 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 12.30 Kalutara South 13.54 Sat. and Sun.
Aluthgama 13.15 Galle 15.10 Daily
Maradana 13.30 Panadura 14.25 Mon. to Fri.
Ginthota 13.40 Galle 13.50 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 14.05 Aluthgama 16.11 Daily
Maradana 14.15 Matara 17.48 Daily
Galle 14.15 Matara 15.31 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 14.30 Panadura 15.35 Daily
Maradana 15.20 Panadura 16.27 Daily
Maradana 15.40 Matara 18.20 Daily
Maradana 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.
Maradana 16.40 Matara 19.35 Sagarika Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 16.40 Hikkaduwa 18.56 Sunday only
Maradana 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.
Maradana 17.20 Galle 19.33 Sagarika Sat. and Sun.
Maradana 17.25 Galle 20.10 Samudra Devi Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 17.30 Galle 21.13 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 17.40 Aluthgama 19.51 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 17.50 Galle 21.26 Sat. and Sun.
Colombo Fort 17.52 Matara 20.42 Sunday only
Maradana 17.55 Matara 21.38 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 18.10 Aluthgama 20.07 Daily
Maradana 18.25 Aluthgama 20.45 Daily
Maradana 18.45 Galle 22.55 Night Mail Daily
Maradana 19.45 Aluthgama 21.40 Monday to Friday and Sunday
Maradana 19.45 Panadura 20.40 Saturday only
Colombo Fort 20.00 Mount Lavinia 20.31 Daily
Colombo Fort 20.19 Moratuwa 21.00 Special Trains 8/3
Maradana 20.35 Panadura 22.10 Mon. to Fri.
Maradana 20.35 Kalutara South 21.57 Sunday only
Maradana 21.30 Aluthgama 23.25 Daily

Upwards

Starting Station Departure Time Destination Station Time Name Frequency
Aluthgama 03.20 Colombo Fort 05.10 Daily
Galle 03.40 Maradana 07.01 Night Mail Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama 03.50 Colombo Fort 05.40 Daily
Galle 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 Daily
Aluthgama 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 Daily
Matara 06.05 Maradana 08.49 Ruhunu Kumari Daily
Aluthgama 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 Daily
Panadura 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 Daily
Moratuwa 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 only
Mount Lavinia 09.15 Maradana 09.50 Mon. to Sat.
Panadura 09.35 Maradana 10.41 Daily
Matara 09.40 Colombo Fort 13.15 Rajarata Rejini Daily
Matara 10.25 Galle 11.33 Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South 10.45 Maradana 12.10 Daily
Kalutara South 12.20 Maradana 14.15 Daily
Galle 13.05 Aluthgama 14.43 Daily
Galle 13.15 Ginthota 13.25 Mon. to Fri.
Matara 13.35 Colombo Fort 17.14 Daily
Aluthgama 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 Daily
Panadura 15.00 Maradana 15.55 Mon. to Fri.
Matara 15.15 Galle 16.18 Daily
Panadura 16.10 Colombo Fort 17.11 Daily
Mount 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 Daily
Panadura 17.05 Colombo Fort 18.04 Daily
Moratuwa 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

  1. 1 2 3 Range, Irangika (5 August 2013). "Wheels move on work on Matale-Beliatta track". Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 Dissanayake, Ridma (11 April 2012). "Southern railway line re-opens today". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Perera, B. B. "Rampala regime in the local Railway History". The Island. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Survivors tell of tsunami train horror". BBC News. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "ColomboPage". Construction of Matara-Kataragama railway line in Southern Sri Lanka begins. 6 April 2010.
  6. ↑ "Matara-Beliatta railway project starts today". adaderana.lk. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
  8. ↑ "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 2012-02-10.

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