First consignment of power sets due today

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

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The first consignment of 15 power sets imported from China will reach the Colombo Port today. The power sets imported under a special loan scheme approved by the Chinese government costs US$ 40 million.

"The number of power sets in the country will increase to 50 with the import of the new S-10 Class units", Transport Ministry sources said.

The Chinese Government agreed to release the power sets based on the year 2000 prices following discussions held with President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to China.

"The move will minimise the inconvenience caused to commuters travelling from Colombo to the sub urban areas and on the Kelani Valley route. An efficient transportation service will be provided to office commuters", sources said.

President Rajapaksa has approved Rs. 1,700 million to increase the fleet of trains in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana to develop the transportation sector in the country.

The power sets are manufactured by Hubei Machinery and Equipment Import-Export Company of China in keeping with the technological needs of Sri Lanka's railway service.

While 400 passengers could be transported in a train which has a steel finished interior and exterior that does not corrode, the train is 65 feet long with six compartments. The sources said the railway transportation will be modernised with 20 new power sets under the Indian Credit Line facility. Ten railway engines will be added to the railway service during the first quarter of 2009, an achievement after nine years.

One-hundred modern passenger compartments imported from China after 15 years are already in operation, and for the first time a concerted effort has been made to develop the railway sector," the sources said.