Safety rail gates from May
Irangika Range
Safety rail gates will be installed to secure 700 unprotected railway
crossings from May 1.
A special project to install railroad crossing safety methods at each
railway crossing will be implemented by the Railway Department in
collaboration with the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority. "We are trying to
eliminate all unprotected railroad crossings," a Transport Ministry
spokesman told the Daily News. He said accidents can happen at any rail
crossing resulting in loss of life and property.
"Keeping drivers safe should be a top priority for Sri Lanka and that
is why we decided to implement this project," he added.
"We have planned to obtain Samurdhi beneficiaries' service to secure
the gates. They will be paid an additional allowance by the Samurdhi
Authority. The Samurdhi Authority and the Sri Lanka Railways will sign a
third party agreement with Samurdhi beneficiary families. The Sri Lanka
Railways will manufacture and install the safety rail gates. The cost of
each gate is Rs. 2,000. Meanwhile, the Railway Department maintains 250
unprotected railway crossings. The Railway Department will also take the
responsibility of securing railway crossings which will be placed newly
with the construction of new railway lines across the country. |