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by Anura Maitipe

The derailment of the Colombo bound intercity express train from Kandy which killed 15 people and injured over two hundred was the third such derailment on this track during the past few months. In spite of various excuses and assurances by authorities the trend of rail accidents are on an increase.

A few months ago "Udarata Menike" Colombo bound train from Badulla had also been derailed on the same track killing fifteen people and causing severe injuries to another thirty nine people. This was followed by another derailment of the Vavuniya bound "Yaldevi" train from Colombo too at Polgahawela on the same track.

Since the construction of the country's railway network by the British rulers about a century ago no government has taken initiatives to modernise it to suit the present needs of the country. Most of the railway bridges and railway tracks are in a dilapidated condition. The Matara bound train from Colombo also fell into a river due to the sudden collapse of the railway bridge at Gintota.

A special committee appointed by the Railway Department to investigate into this matter had pointed out that most of these bridges along the coastal line are badly corroded and repairs to these bridges are needed. The Committee has also pointed out the need of replacement of railway track by introducing double track system to prevent unwanted delays and collisions of trains.

At present double traction is available only up to Polgahawela on the Northern line and Wadduwa in the southern line. Since two trains cannot interchange due to single traction, one train gets delayed. On the way the other train too has to wait at the station until the former train comes. This has caused severe inconvenience to the railway commuters, especially during the busy hours of the day.

The other reason for the delay in railway transport is the non-availability of a proper and orchestrated signal system. The traffic signal network operating now was laid down during the colonial times which is now out dated. And if the railway is to be improved a new signal system will have to be introduced.

It appears that the key problem faced by the Railway Department is the lack of funds for the modernisation of the railway network in the country. Since it is a huge investment the Railway Department has no alternative but to seek foreign assistance from donor agencies for the restructuring of the railway network in the country. The modernisation of the railway network would greatly contribute in reducing traffic congestion on the highways and the accidents as well.

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