New power sets to reduce travel time - minister
Irangika RANGE
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said seven new power sets (S12)
imported from China recently will operate on the Upcountry Line.
The seven power-sets consist of one luxury carriage, three class two
and four class three carriages,in addition to a restaurant, adjustable
seats and facilities to dump litter. Minister Welgama participating in a
test run of new power set (S.12) from Colombo Fort to Badulla said SLR
has ordered 13 high tech power sets from China under the US $ 101
million credit line agreement. The loan would be settled within 15
years.
He said four out of 13 power sets handed over to the SLR are being
used on the Kelani Valley railway line. Two super luxury trains would
also be imported and deployed on the upcountry railway line. Each super
luxury train has two engines, five super luxury compartments, and
seating capacity for 254 passengers in addition to a restaurant and
facilities to dump litter.
The current speed limit of the “Podi Menike train operating from
Colombo Fort to Badulla is 20 Km per hour. But, with the deployment of
these new power sets, it is expected to reduce the travel time between
Colombo Fort to Badulla.
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