July 31, Colombo: The government of Sri Lanka has commenced a project to restore an abandoned rail track in the central tea plantations country.

The President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama to expedite the construction work of the railway track from Nanu-Oya to Nuwara Eliya in the hills country.

The President has given the instructions to the Transport Minister at the Nuwara Eliya district development committee meeting held last week.

Operations of the 26 kilometer rail track from Nanu Oya to Ragala in Nuwara Eliya, was suspended in 1951 due to difficulties in maintenance of the track. The Colombo-Badulla upcountry main line runs through Nanu Oya.

Reportedly, the new railway track will be built along the route where the previous railway track had been built. People have illegally built houses and settled in the land at various locations of the abandoned railway line

However, the Minister has emphasized that no one will be allowed to misuse state property.

The China Railway Corporation is entrusted with the construction of the railway line.