President orders alarm system for bamboo gates

Chaminda PERERA

The Transport Ministry officials were yesterday directed to look into the possibility of introducing an alarm system or automatic gates to replace over 700 bamboo gates which have become death traps due to operators’, negligence.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made this order when an issue related to the unprotected railway gates were taken up for discussion at the Transport Ministry’s Progress Review meeting at Temple Trees Tuesday.

The Railways Department maintains over 200 well protected railway gates throughout the country while bamboo gates are operated by volunteers.

It was disclosed at this meeting that the Railways Department has over 900 gates for 12,000 Km railway track and most crossings were established without the Department’s knowledge.

Transport Ministry Secretary Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said the railway crossings have been established by residents in an adhoc manner without the Railways Department’s knowledge.

It was also decided to prepare a priority list of railway crossing which is in need of urgent gates.

President Rajapaksa stressed that the Railways Department should be converted to a money spining entity under a systematic plan.

“The treasury cannot feed this institution every year. There should be a proper plan to make it a profitable organization,” he added.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said train delays can be completely averted with the arrival of 33 power sets from India and China. These power sets will reach the country by next month.

The Minister said the Railways Department requires over 60 engines per day but only 45 engines are in operation. He added that this situation has caused train cancellations and delays.

The Minister added that the Technical officers began a work to rule campaign in protest against salary anomalies and this situation has caused an adverse impact on the train service.

Minister Welgama discussed workers’ grievances and were referred to the Salary and Cadre Commission. During the discussion, technical officers promised the Minister to increase the number of road worthy engines from 38 to 52 within a specific period. The Minister added that these technical officers have been able to provide only 45 engines yet.