Three more power sets arrive from India

Irangika RANGE

Three of the 20 new power sets imported from India under an Indian loan scheme will arrive in Sri Lanka in mid-July.

A Transport Ministry spokesman said under the Indian loan scheme, 20 new power sets and three units of locomotives will be provided to Sri Lanka. Six power sets out of 20 have already been handed over to the Sri Lankan government, he said.

The balance 11 new power sets will arrive in the country by March.

"We have replaced two new power sets for the Ruhunu Kumari while one new power set has been deployed between Colombo Fort and Rambukkana. Another new power set from Aluthgama to Meerigama via Colombo Fort is in operation," he said. "One new power set is on standby for special train services during the festive season," the spokesman said.

"We have decided to deploy one new power set between Colombo Fort and Chilaw within the next week," he said.

"All power sets imported from India are undergoing test runs at the railway workshop in Ratmalana. Following results of trial runs, we will decide on which railway line they can be deployed." He said that power sets have been specially designed for long distance travel with all facilities. The cost of a single power set is US $ 3.5 million.

These power sets which can operate at a maximum speed of 100kmph were manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in India. The power sets consist of six compartments. Ninety passengers can be accommodated in the third class and 72 passengers in the second class.