Protected level crossings not really protected
The General Manager Railways, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, yesterday, advised motorists to be extra vigilant at level crossings which are supposed to be protected by bamboo barriers as, in many instances, these crossings are in reality unprotected.
“The caretakers of these bamboo barriers are not employees of the Railway Department. The department merely pays them a small stipend for manning the barriers. The danger is that these men are liable to leave the barriers unattended. As a result the roads are liable to remain unbarred at times when a train is about to pass and the road should be closed..
There is a danger that an unsuspecting motorist would drive across the railway line when a train is about to pass. Therefore motorists must be careful at level crossings which are supposed to be protected by bamboo barriers,” he said.
There are about 700 level crossings on the 2600 kilometres of rail track. The department, with the assistance of the private sector, installed mirrors on each side at three unprotected level crossings, to enable motorists to see approaching trains, in a pilot project which proved to be a success, Dr. Gunaruwan said.
Provincial Councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas, the Road Development Authority and local government bodies have a responsibility to protect motorists and vehicles at level crossings, as much as the SLR has, he said. Sri Lanka Railways, meanwhile, will import 15 Power Sets from China at Rs. 350 million each. The first consignment will reach Sri Lanka by October, and the department expects to put them into service in October. The service on the Kelani Valley Line will be improved with S8 engines being used on KV line trains, as the SD8 engines will be released when the new Power Sets are put into operation on the main lines, he said.
Justifying the recent increase in rail and season tickets fares, Dr. Gunaruwan said the train service could not be maintained without a fare increase. Rail fares are still lower than bus fares, he said.
Commercial Superintendent Vijaya Samarasingha said the public would have the facility to reserve seats on intercity trains via mobile phone. An SMS would be enough to reserve a second or first class seat on the Colombo – Kandy Intercity train, he said.
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Source: Dailymirror
