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 Kaluthara South Single track: Kaluthara South to Matara
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	No
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map Coastal Line 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 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.

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 the coastal line in 2011–2012

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]

In February 2017 a project to expand the single-track railway to a double-track railway from Kalutara to Payagala was launched ^[9]

Timetable

Downwards

Upwards

References

Rail transport in Sri Lanka
By Province	Central Province Eastern Province North Central Province Northern Province North Western Province Sabaragamuwa Southern Province Uva Western Province
Railway lines	Batticaloa line Coastal line Kelani Valley line Main Line Mannar line Matale line Mihintale line Northern line Puttalam line Trincomalee line Uda Pussellawa railway (closed)
Stations	List of railway stations Railway stations by province List of railway stations by line
Trains	Locomotives Named passenger trains Boat mail
Operators/service providers	Sri Lanka Railways ExpoRail Rajadhani Express Viceroy Special
History	Railway accidents Bandarawela Hotel National Railway Museum