New power sets to reduce travel time - minister

Irangika RANGE

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said seven new power sets (S12) imported from China recently will operate on the Upcountry Line.

The seven power-sets consist of one luxury carriage, three class two and four class three carriages,in addition to a restaurant, adjustable seats and facilities to dump litter. Minister Welgama participating in a test run of new power set (S.12) from Colombo Fort to Badulla said SLR has ordered 13 high tech power sets from China under the US $ 101 million credit line agreement. The loan would be settled within 15 years.

He said four out of 13 power sets handed over to the SLR are being used on the Kelani Valley railway line. Two super luxury trains would also be imported and deployed on the upcountry railway line. Each super luxury train has two engines, five super luxury compartments, and seating capacity for 254 passengers in addition to a restaurant and facilities to dump litter.

The current speed limit of the “Podi Menike train operating from Colombo Fort to Badulla is 20 Km per hour. But, with the deployment of these new power sets, it is expected to reduce the travel time between Colombo Fort to Badulla.