Fort Station centre of massive renovation programme

The Government is to renovate all 330 railway stations around the country using a mix of public and private funding, with a massive effort planned to refurbish Colombo Fort station.

Fifty stations will be fully renovated by the end of this year, Additional General Manager Department of Railways Nalaka Bandara, said.

The Railways Department has set aside Rs. 400 million for the renovation programme, he said.

The Kandy and Kelaniya station refurbishment had already been completed with renovated toilets including special toilets for disabled people.

“Most of the stations, including those in the North and East, are being renovated as a joint venture of private and public partnership. In the North, we are planning to renovate stations from Meddawachiya to Talaimannar and Omanthai to Jaffna,” Mr Bandara said.

The Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya stations would be developed with the help of foreign investors. The Hikkaduwa, Kandy and Nanuoya stations are to be renovated to accommodate the needs of tourism, and the Ella station is developed as joint venture with the Hotels Corporation. The Jaffna station will be refurbished by the Bank of Ceylon.

The Fort station is to be redeveloped along with the Fort bus stand.

The Sunday Times reported two weeks ago that the Fort station was in dire need of repairs. This week, repairs were being carried out on Platform 1, with station Superintendent, Manathunge L. Chandrasoma, agreeing that the 100year- old building needed renovation.

Passengers complain that the roof lets in rain, many benches are broken, and that there are only two toilets available for passengers.