New power sets from China

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: Fifteen new power sets will be imported from China in May to augment the present train services. The power sets will cost Rs.5250 million.

A spokesman from the Transport Ministry told the Daily News that each power set will comprise six coaches with engine costing Rs.350 million.

He said that an agreement has already been signed for the purchase of power sets from China adding that once the power sets are linked to the system it will help ease congestion to a great extent.

"The shortage of rail carriages and locomotives is a major problem faced by the Department. It has been estimated that the service requires many more carriages to carry out its daily operations efficiently," he said.

"We are in the process of adding 100 new railway coaches to the local train service to meet the demand ," he said.

He said that the new power sets will be attached to short distance-train services mostly office trains that ply from Colombo to suburban areas.

He said new power sets are designed to provide comfort to the commuters while also minimising risks.

"New railway carriages should be added to the service annually if we are to provide a satisfactory train service to the public. However, not one carriage has been added to the service since 1992.

That is why Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has submitted a Cabinet paper for the purchase of new carriages as among his first tasks after assuming duties," he said. According to the spokesman, the carriages have been constructed at a leading Chinese company in conformity with international safety standards.

According to Sri Lankan engineers the new carriages could ply on local tracks.