Now, less train derailments

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Road Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Allagiyawanna told Parliament yesterday train derailments reported this year have recorded a slight decrease compared to the figures of 2007.

According to the Minister, 63 main train derailments and 142 other train derailments had been reported in 2007. However, only 36 main train derailments and 66 other train derailments have been reported during this year.

The Minister was responding to an oral question raised by JVP MP Lakshman Nipunaarachchi on the train derailments reported in 2007.

Asked on the physical damages and material losses caused by these derailments reported in 2007, the Minister said no damages caused to passengers are reported. The damages caused to physical assets have been identified as loss caused by derailment occurred due to vehicle running on the track Rs. 1,371,581 and the loss caused by other derailments (in the yards) Rs. 1,226,673.

The Minister said like in other years, the number of accidents reported in 2007 due to failures is human, tracks or mobile parts or a combination of these as common to any railway system of the world. In order to overcome this situation, due remedial measures are continuously adopted by the railway officials. After 1992, no railway carriages has been imported to Sri Lanka. But the present Government has imported nearly 50 railway carriages during a very short period. Arrangements have also been made to renovate railway lines with the financial assistance of the Indian Credit Line.