|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 01 January 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
by Rajmi Manatunga Transport Minister Felix Perera yesterday assured that swift measures will be taken to restore the country's transport services disrupted by Sunday's disaster. Minister Perera told the Daily News that teams have already been sent to the affected areas to reconstruct the coastal railway line severely damaged by tidal waves. Steps have also been taken to increase the bus fleet immediately. "The train service is the worst hit by this disaster and we will need at least Rs. 6550 million to restore it. The damage caused to the tracks alone is Rs 1600 million while damage to bridges and the signal systems is Rs 50 million and Rs 500 million respectively. We have also lost a communications system worth Rs 1500 million," he said. The Minister said that steps have already been taken to operate trains up to Ratmalana after clearance and renovation at Dehiwala and Wellawatte. "The train service used to be the mode of transport for over 3,000 people on the coastal line. Therefore, we hope to extend train operations up to Kalutara South from next week. There are also three trains held up in the South. We have decided to commence a train service between Galle and Matara using them and link it with the rest of the service using a bus service," he said. Perera said the Ministry will seek overseas assistance in obtaining the Rs 6550 million required for reconstruction. The railway unions have volunteered to assist the reconstruction activities. The Minister has also directed the Central Transport Board (CTB) to increase the bus fleet in the affected areas. The CTB has suffered a loss of Rs 67.3 million owing to the disaster. "However, the biggest problem we are facing now is the large number of people travelling to 'watch' the disaster-hit areas thus causing severe traffic congestions on the Galle road," he said. The tidal waves that brought disaster to the Western and Southern coastal areas of the country have caused severe damage to the coastal railway line while destroying an eight carriage train transporting over 1,000 people to Matara. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
