New buses, trains rejuvenate neglected transport network
by Ananda Kannangara
The significant progress achieved by Transport and the Railway
Ministries during the past one year is commendable. The development
plans of these two sectors were pledges made by the `Mahinda Chintanaya'
and was fully endorsed by the people.
The Government during its first quarter implemented the National
Transport Policy with the sole objective of improving both railway and
the bus transport sectors. The authorities focused their attention
towards these sectors, since the two will directly help to carry out
future development plans.
Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie's first duty was his plan to
import 5,000 buses phased out during the next three years and thus
strengthen the bus transport sector in the urban and rural sectors.
The authorities were inundated with complaints about the transport
services in the rural sector, which had been neglected by officials in
the past.
During the first ten months of this year, Transport Ministry imported
803 Ashok Leyland and Tata buses from India out of which 620 buses were
added to the present service. Another 613 buses will be imported before
December under a loan granted by the Government of India.
The Ministry has also decided to purchase another lot of 584 buses
next year, in order to meet the growing demand.
Meanwhile the Railways Ministry on a directive from Minister Fowzie
studied a special proposal to import new railway engines and carriages
from Rumania. Five engines and several carriages were imported and
pressed into service. Another set of used carriages were repaired at the
Railway workshop at Ratmalana.
The Ministry also implemented a program to provide railway free
passes (warrants) to elderly people to enable them to go on pilgrimages
every year. The Ministry has also taken steps to sell Rs. 1,000 worth
monthly season ticket for Rs. 500, to the elders.
It has also been proposed to lay a new railway track to Mihintale, in
addition to the existing one, and the Ministry hopes to extend the line
to Trincomalee.
Another railway line will be constructed between Colombo and
Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at a cost of Rs. 156 million.
The construction will commence by next year, in collaboration with Wang
Shu Railcar Company, which it will be completed within a period of two
years. The objective is to provide a better passenger service for locals
and foreigners who travel between Colombo and Katunayaka Airport.
The Transport Ministry has also focused its attention towards the
development of bus services in remote areas. Accordingly three new
concepts `Gemi Seriya', `Sisu Seriya' and `Nisi Seriya' were iniated.
Under the `Gemi Seriya' program, ten new roads were constructed
during the first ten months of this year. Another 25 roads will be
constructed next year for the benefit of population in the remote sector
who face hardships due to lack of roads and transport services.
The `Sisu Seriya' program was commenced for the benefit of
schoolchildren and teachers. Under this program 70 new buses were added
to the present fleet in 2006. Meanwhile steps have also been taken to
deploy an additional 100 school buses during 2007.
Minister Fowzie also paid special attention on late evening passenger
services. It was brought to this notice that only a few buses operate in
the urban areas after 6.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. in the rural areas.
Accordingly the objective of starting the `Nisi Seriya' program is to
provide a continuous night passenger services. The Ministry has already
started night passenger services on 15 routes. Another night bus service
will operate along 20 routes in the City of Colombo and urban areas.
The Transport Ministry has also drawn a plan to provide fuel to
public transport services, especially buses, trains and trishaws at a
concessionary prices. The objective of such plan is to bring down the
bus fares, charged by buses and trishaws. Train services for
schoolchildren were also pressed into operation on the main, coastal,
Chilaw and Kelani Valley railway lines.
The Ministry also finalised a program to commence train - bus joint
services at change-over points such as Hatton, Kalutara, Nanu Oya,
Kollupitiya, Galle, Matara, Ambalangoda, Rambukkana, Veyangoda,
Polgahawela and Gampaha. The Railways has also made arrangements to
improve the railway line from Trincomalee to Batticaloa and the
feasibility report is now being studied by the project assessment
committee.
The Motor Traffic Department which also comes under the purview of
the Ministry of Transport, carry out fractions like registration of
motor vehicles, registration of ownership transfers of vehicles, issuing
of driving licences and amending or/and implementing motor traffic
regulations. During the first ten months of this year, 223,079 motor
vehicles, including motor cycles and trishaws were registered by the
Department.
The Minister has also plans to introduce a driving licence, with a
new format.
The report on the development of the Colombo-Kandy main railway line
including the Kandy-Gampola-Kadugannawa railway triangle has been
finalised and forwarded to the National Planing Department, where it has
also proposed to construct a double railway track between Kandy and
Peradeniya. ..................................
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