SLGR to be resurrected after 15 years
The Sri Lanka Government Railways is to go through resurgence with the arrival of 15 power sets and 15 locomotive engines from China shortly and face lifting of railway stations island wide, Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said yesterday.
“We are in the process of importing locomotive engines, power sets, coaches and spare parts needed for engine and rail track repairs after almost 15 years. The severe scarcity of engines and coaches has contributed to the sharp deterioration of the service. The non availability of spare parts was the main cause for delays and cancellations in the railway service and also to derailments,” he noted.
The railway commuters will experience a marked improvement of the service in the next few months with the supply of these vital components, Minister Alahapperuma said.
The Department has drawn up a plan to refurbish railway stations in the country. As the first step, 13 stations will be repaired with the assistance of the private sector, he said.
Meanwhile Minister Alahapperuma has obtained cabinet approval to confirm 1500 casual, substitute and contracted railway employees in their respective posts. Accordingly these employees will be made permanent from next Wednesday, the Minister said.
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Source: Daily Mirror
Tags: china, commuters, locomotive engines, private sector, railway employees, railway service, railway stations, railways, resurgence, scarcity, spare parts, sri lanka government, transport minister, vital components
