Kandy railway station

Kandy railway station (Sinhala: මහනුවර දුම්රිය ස්ථානය, Tamil: கண்டி ரயில் நிலையம்) is a major railway station in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways and is the primary railway station in Kandy and one of the most significant in the central hills. The station sits on a branch of the Main Line, leading to the Matale Line.[2]

Kandy Railway Station

මහනුවර දුම්රිය ස්ථානය
கண்டி ரயில் நிலையம்
Kandy train station
LocationSri Lanka
Coordinates7.2888°N 80.63151°E / 7.2888; 80.63151
Owned bySri Lanka Railways
Operated bySri Lanka Railways
Line(s)Main Line
Matale Line
Distance120.737 km (75.022 mi) (from Fort)
Platforms4
Tracks5
Other information
Websitewww.railway.gov.lk/Station Details
ElectrifiedNo[1]
Services
Senkadagala Menike -to Colombo Fort
Tikiri Menike -to Hatton and Colombo Fort

History

The Colombo to Kandy railway line (what is now known as the Main line) was extended in stages, with the first stage to Ambepussa completed in December 1864 and the next stage to Polgahawela by November 1866. Following the construction of bridges over the Mahaweli Ganga and the Maha Oya the last rail tracks were laid on 15 April 1867.[3] The next day the first steam engine entered the Kandy Railway Station. On 30 April 1867 the first train, a goods service, completed the journey from Colombo to Kandy, with the first passenger service commencing on 1 August 1867.[3][4][5] Initially there were two train passenger/mail services, leaving at the respective ends of the service at 7:00am, with the overall journey taking 4.5 hours.[3][5]

The railway station at Kandy was constructed on a site known as Deiyange Wela. It is 512 m (1,680 ft) above sea level and 120 km (75 mi) from Colombo.[5]

Architecture

Kandy Railway Station features both Modernist and Victorian architecture. The station building is of the Art Moderne style, incorporating curving forms and long horizontal lines. It uses concrete massing to create a geometric form. Its minimalist walls and simple, bold forms contrast sharply with the highly ornamented, traditional architecture that surrounds it.[6]

Platform at Kandy station

The structure sheltering the platforms is of an older Victorian design. The structure displays stylish arches and intricate metalwork.

Refurbishment

In February 2008 Chevron Sri Lanka provided RS. 7 million to Sri Lanka Railways to renovate and restore the railway station.[7] The refurbishment was completed by June 2008, prior to the commencement of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit. The works included drainage, landscaping, colour washing of the station building, renovation of lobby flooring, installation of new platform benches, waste collection facilities, and the renovation of toilets and passenger waiting rooms.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Daily News". IESL proposes railway electrification project. 25 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
  2. "The Rail Routes of Sri Lanka". Model Railroad Club. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  3. Wijenayake, Walter (25 July 2009). "How Sri Lankan railways came into being". The Island. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  4. "Cameos of the past: First train on line to Badulla from Colombo". Sunday Observer. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  5. "History of Sri Lanka Railway - Part 2". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  6. "The Project for Formulation of Greater Kandy Urban Plan (G". Chapter 10 - Present Condition of the Heritage Area. Japan International Cooperation Agency: 10-6. September 2018.
  7. Fernandopulle, Lalin (25 May 2008). "Facelift for Kandy railway station". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  8. Silva, Dhananjani (2 March 2008). "Kandy rails raring to go". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
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