Eleven trains derail last month due to maintenance and geological issues

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

A total of eleven trains on the upcountry and coastal railway lines have derailed in the past month due to maintenance errors with the rail tracks, train engines, compartments and geological reasons, the Railways Department said.  

According to investigations, most derailments were caused by failures of the wheels on engines and compartments. Some derailments were due to poor maintenance of the tracks, especially on the upcountry line.  

Most of the rail tracks are beyond repair due to the area’s geographical conditions. It was revealed that the failure to implement proper railway safety rules caused certain derailments. It was also reported that some train compartments and engines assigned to the upcountry line were not suitable for operations there. The recent derailments were also caused by the use of unsuitable train carriages and engines on the upcountry railway line. Additionally, the loosening of soil beneath the rail tracks contributed to the derailments, an official of the Department said.  

Accordingly, derailments were reported from Kotagala and Watagoda on the upcountry line, Padukka on the Avissawella line, and Panadura on the coastal line.     

**-Derailments were reported from Kotagala and Watagoda on the upcountry line, Padukka on the Avissawella line, and Panadura on the coastal line