Opinion – Dawn of a new era for Railway
The addition of 25 new railway carriages imported from China will now help augment the train services to provide a successful service to commuters.
We, as train travellers must be thankful to the Transport Minister for having redeemed us from the ordeal of travelling in packed carriages for ages. We await eagerly to enter these beautiful and luxury looking compartments to enjoy the comforts of travelling.
It is also important to note that the present condition of the carriages that are now on the track. Fifteen years ago, they too had the same look. Unfortunately, most of the fittings in these carriages gradually began to disappear.
There was a large number of hand supports mounted on horizontal railings for standing passengers. This do not exist now.
Missing fluorescent light fittings are replaced with loosely hanging bulbs.
Most fans have been removed. In some carriages, overhead racks for luggages have also been removed. The strangest thing is that nobody knows who is responsible for these illegal acts.
It will be ridiculous if these new compartments too are subjected to the same treatment. Therefore, railway authorities must adopt some form of preventive measure to safeguard this valuable national property.
By M.R.A.L. GUNASINGHE, Veyangoda
Source: Daily News
Tags: bulbs, china, commuters, dawn, illegal acts, new era, ordeal, overhead racks, preventive measure, railings, railway authorities, railway carriages, strangest thing, successful service, train services, train travellers, transport minister
