Electrification proposed – Veyangoda to Panadura
A first in Sri Lanka but long overdue project amounting to Rs. 3 billion of railway electrification was proposed by the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) yesterday.
This was revealed at the launch of “Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka”, by IESL which is the fifth publication launched by the Institution following the centenary celebrations in 2006.
A electrical railway system of 64 Km route length and 156 Km track length has been proposed from Veyangoda to Panadura for the Diesel Multiple Units (known popularly as power man units), currently used by Sri Lanka Railways. The project has proposed for an overhead power supply with a voltage supply of 25kV. One railway track will be used specifically for return journeys according to the proposal.
The proposal will be submitted to the government shortly according to member of IESL Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya who presented a summary of the study of the project to the gathering. The project was initiated on the request of the IESL after approaching the Institution of Engineers in India. The expertise of R.C Ray, an expert in railway engineering was sought for the bulk of the research which formulated the project proposal.
“President Rajapakse has proposed the appointment of a steering committee to study the proposal. If the necessary approval is granted within the next three months the project can move on to the feasibility study and be on schedule,” Dr. Siyambalapitiya added.
He said further that the SLR and the Ceylon Electricity Board possesses the necessary facilities and capabilities to handle the project implementation in terms of the feasibility study, track modification, construction of power lines and related infrastructure and obtain assistance form India for the modification of rolling stock which needs to convert power sets to run on electricity.
Outlining engineering challenged that are likely to crop up, Dr. Siyambalapitiya emphasized the need for modification of signalling and level crossing which is of highest importance. “Height restrictions also need to be enforced along with manned safety barriers, a matter which is being debated on,” he said adding that these steps require investment in order to be implemented.
The advantages of the proposed railway electrification have many benefits with higher acceleration of speed, reduction of energy costs by approximately 70%, and overall higher fuel efficiency. There will also be environmental benefits as electrification of railways will have no emissions at stations, lower downtime and shorter downtime.
“The project is being proposed at a time when we anticipate an energy shift by 2010/2011 which is likely to se reduced rates of electricity,” Dr. Siyambalapitiya concluded.
Pricing and security are ain concerns for the transport sector according to Vidya Jothi Prof. Dayantha Wijayasekera who delivered the keynote address at the event. He emphasized the need for the better education, engineering and enforcement techniques to improve transportation in Sri Lanka with the aid of trained personnel.
Chief Guest at the launch Minister of Power and Energy W.D.J. Seneviratne pointed out that the country’s power demand will increase upto 2610 Mega Watts by 2010. ‘We need to achieve ten per cent of renewable energy by 2015 if we are to overcome the escalating power demand.” Seneviratne said adding that this means a progression form the over decency on thermal and hydro power.
By Dilrukshi Fernando
Source: Daily Mirror
Tags: engineers, feasibility study, institute of engineers, man units, overdue project, project implementation, project proposal, railway electrification, railway engineering, railway system, railway track, return journeys, sri lanka, sri lanka railways
