Matters beyond CGR scope, a drawback to efficient service - General Manager

by Gamini WARUSHAMANA

[email protected]

The General Manager of the CGR Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said that matters beyond the scope of the CGR hinder the functions of the CGR and its plan to provide an efficient transport service to commuters.

Explaining the CGR’s decision to discontinue the maintenance of 783 bamboo railway gates, the GM said that these gates were a burden and the CGR does not have the resources to maintain them.

Unprotected railway crossings and frequent accidents that are taking place at these gates is a national issue. However, the CGR alone cannot address it.

Municipal Councils, local authorities or any other institution in the area should be responsible for the proper functioning of these bamboo rail gates, he said.

Today these bamboo rail gates are a danger to motorists, because when the gate is open people think there is no train. But the actual situation is that the gate is not properly functioning because the gatekeeper is not doing his job. The gatekeeper is not responsible and he is not a worker of the CGR or any other institution and receives only a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000.

The CGR maintains over 250 rail gates across high traffic roads. These gates were set up following formal procedures and with CGR approval. However, most of these unprotected railway crossings are at the recently constructed unplanned roads. The roads have been constructed without CGR permission.

Dr. Gunaruwan said that the train-elephant conflict on the Northern and Eastern railway tracks has also obstructed the CGR’s service improvement plan. We have invested heavily to develop the Batticaloa rail track and we expect to increase the average speed of the train to 70-80 km/h. However, if the wildlife authorities fail to find a solution to protect the elephants the speed has to be limited.

He conceded that there are some technical faults in the newly imported railway carriages. A team of Chinese engineers is here and according to them the problem is with the engines and not the carriages. The brake system in the new carriages is different as the existing locomotives have never used that system. If the carriages are not in keeping with the agreed standard the CGR can take action, he said.