|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
LER on track by 2005 The first locally manufactured trains by Lanka Econo Rail (LER) will be on the tracks by August 2005. They are Diesel Multiple Unit(DMU) power sets and will consist of three carriages. The trains will only run on routes where there are double tracks. LER will manufacture the proto-types and hand it over to the Government. The government will use it and then place the required orders said Managing Director Micro Cars Ltd, and LER Lawrence Perera. Finance Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama addressing the media last week said "the LER is a not only a solution to the problem of transportation, but also unemployment and urbanisation and most of all we Sri Lankans can be proud as a nation that a Sri Lankan Company is manufacturing the trains. It will be a great saving on our foreign exchange as well, he said." At present the Treasury releases Rs 450 Mln a month to pay the salaries of CTB and CGR workers which is not sustainable. "The proposed system is a win win situation for everybody and therefore every citizen including the railway workers should support this venture," said the minister. The most appealing feature of this project is its price and the modern technology used, meeting today's international standard in the rail transport industry. At present the government has to spend Rs20 Mln to buy one coach while a locomotive costs Rs 120mln. The price of a three carriage LER is only Rs 40 million, said Dr Perera. Though its priced low we have maintained the highest standards in safety required by rail transport industry ensuring fuel efficiency ,low maintenance cost ,availability of spare parts, environmental emission standards (EURO 11) and passenger comfort. The company gets technical expertise from Germany. Research shows that implementing the LER concept will ease the traffic congestion as most people will opt for train travelling due to its speed and comfort. This will also be a solution to the rising cost of fuel. The concept would attract new segments of the middle and upper middle class as it will be a modern aerodynamically designed comfortable and affordable mode of transportation. (SG) |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
