CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Reply To:
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Rail track deterioration, lack of routine maintenance contributed to recent derailments: RSMU
The cause of recent derailments was the deterioration of sleepers and the railway tracks which were not subject to proper and routine maintenance, the Railway Station Masters' Union (RSMU) today said.
Addressing the media, RSMU President Sumedha Somaratne said the shortage of manpower and junior staff at railway stations had caused the derailments.
"There is a huge dearth of manpower in the railway track maintenance section. The government should intervene and provide tangible solutions. "If this situation continues, the lives of the commuters are in grave danger," he said.
A large fleet of railway compartments and more powerful and heavy locomotives have already been imported, but there are issues cropping up with the maintenance of the railway tracks around the country.
The coastal railway line, which was revamped to meet the maximum speed of 100 Km/h, cannot be reached now because of the condition of the tracks.
"The trains will run at a maximum speed of 60 Kmph," Somaratne said. This will cause all trains, including office trains, to be late, inconveniencing commuters. If this situation continues, it is possible to have more derailments in the future.
The express trains would be forced to run slow. If an express passenger train meets with derailment, the harm caused to its passengers will be certainly high and there could even be deaths.
With all the issues present, we are heading towards a very dangerous situation. Therefore, the train service should be upgraded, considering all aspects. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)
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