RDA blamed for damage to CGR signals system
The CGR is blaming the Roads Development Authority for the damage caused to the main signals system during excavation work near the Urugodawatte railway station.
Train services on the main line had been paralysed for the past two days by the RDA, Transport Ministry sources said.
The RDA had carried out the excavation without informing the CGR.
CGR engineers were engaged in repairing the damaged signal cables and hoped to connect the central Cable Lines to CGR Central Control Room at Maradana at their earliest, the Transport Ministry said yesterday.
Transport Ministry officials told The Island that a few months ago the Road Development Authority had asked for permission from the CGR to carry out excavation work near the Urugodawatta railway station and as the excavation could delay the train operations, the CGR initially refused permission.
Officials said the Transport Ministry had requested the RDA to carry out the excavation on holidays since railway operations would only be marginally affected on holidays. However, disregarding the gravity of the situation the Road Development Authority had gone ahead with the work on working days, contributing to the present train delays on the main line, the officials further said.
He pointed out that the careless excavation had destroyed the main cables of railway signal system at all railway stations, from Colombo to Badulla, Colombo to Anuradhapura, Colombo to Chilaw and Colombo to Negombo, Trincomalee and all stations at the Eastern province paving the way for train delays. A large number of office workers were affected, as result they said.
According to the Transport Ministry, the main railway signal system has not been functioning and the CGR engineers are doing the necessary repairs to restore the services. The Transport Ministry ruled out any sabotage.
by Don Asoka Wijewardena
Source: island
