100 more carriages for train service

by Rajmi Manatunga

The Railways Ministry has decided to purchase 100 more railway carriages for the train service.

A Railways Ministry spokesman told the Daily News that the Treasury has agreed to allocate funds for purchasing the 100 carriages.

"Minister Felix Perera had informed the Cabinet and the Treasury that funds were urgently needed to purchase carriages since the Railways Department could not cater to the increasing passenger demand with the existing number of carriages. Accordingly, the Treasury has agreed to allocate funds," he said. He said that the carriages will be purchased from China.

According to the Railways Department, it costs the Government around Rs 25 million to purchase one rail carriage. The shortage of rail carriages and locomotives is a major problem faced by the Department.

It has been estimated that the service requires at least 300 more carriages for its daily operations.