Railway modernisation to cut down travel time

by L. S. A. WEDAARACHCHI

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The modernisation projet of the railway service will reduce the travelling time from Colombo to Matara by one and half hours. The project includes obtaining powersets, locomotive engines and upgrading the railway tracks.

Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said that under the Indian credit line twenty powersets will be added to the long distance railway fleet shortly.

The coastal railway line from Colombo to Matara will be renovated under the Indian credit line of US$ 79 million.

The first phase of the renovation from Galle to Matara will commence by the end of September.

A spokesman for the Transport Ministry said the non-availability of railway engines is the primary reason for the poor maintenance of railway tracks.

Three MG class locomotive engines will be provided to maintain railway tracks under the Indian credit line facility.

He said that 600 railway workers belonging to all grades will be trained at the WRIGHT Railway Training Institute in India under the Indian credit line.