Two of 20 Indian power sets arrive this month

Irangika RANGE

Two of the 20 new power sets imported from India under an Indian loan scheme will arrive in Sri Lanka at end of this month.

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. Five power sets out of 20 have been handed over to the Sri Lankan government to be used on the coastal railway line, he said.

The balance 13 new power sets are scheduled to arrive in the country by next March.

"We have replaced two power sets of the Ruhunu Kumari while one new power set is on standby to launch special train services during the festive seasons," the spokesman said.

"Another two power sets are undergoing test runs. Following results of trial runs, we will decide whether they can be deployed on the coastal railway line or main railway line. 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. He said power sets would provide a standard and safety service to commuters while easing the morning and afternoon rush.

These power sets which can operate at a maximum speed of 100 kmph 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.

He said that Transport Minister Kumar Welgama took measures to suspend the import of the 17 remaining power sets out of an order for 20 units, after defects were reported when new power sets on the Galle-Matara section stopped on their tracks on March 11, following an electrical short circuit and resumed their journey after 20 minutes.

RITES company in India which is supplying new power sets has sent a team and investigated the problem.

They ascertained the quality of the power sets by agreeing to 11 conditions imposed by Sri Lanka.

Following the assurance by RITES of a continued service, Sri Lanka agreed to revoke the suspension.