Modernization work has begun at the Hingurakgoda Railway Station in the Polonnaruwa District, under a programme to upgrade facilities at 100 railway stations across the island.
The project is being carried out as a public-private partnership under the national “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, Ada Derana reported.
Hiru News named the specific scheme the work falls under: the “Dream Destination” programme, run by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat under the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and supervised by the Department of Railways. Ada Derana referred only to the parent Clean Sri Lanka initiative.
The official launch was held under the patronage of Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, with representatives from both the public and private sectors attending.
A station largely untouched for 45 years
Hingurakgoda lies between the Gal Oya and Polonnaruwa stations on the Eastern Railway Line. It currently operates with minimal facilities and has not undergone significant development for close to 45 years.
The station handles both passenger traffic and the transport of agricultural produce — a notable function in Polonnaruwa, one of the country’s principal paddy-growing districts, where rail is used to move harvests out of the region.
The modernization is being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 million.
Ada Derana did not give a completion date, name the private partner funding the work, or say what facilities the upgrade will add.
The 100-station programme is running alongside other work on the network, including the restoration of upcountry line stations and the planned resumption of Colombo–Peradeniya services next month after storm damage.
