2 February 2021 12:21 pm
To cater the present need of 700 Railway Passenger carriages, the Government today approved the manufacturing of 100 carriages with private sector participation.
Addressing the media briefing at the Information Department, the Cabinet spokesman said the number of Railway Passenger carriages would be increased to around 800 over the next five years.
He said the existing carriages are relatively old, as 30% are in service for 30 years, 60% are from 25 to 30, while 10% have been in service for 12 years or less.
Meanwhile, the 160 Railway Passenger carriages from India and 140 are expected to be augmented through the renovation project would only meet 42% of the total carriage requirement, the spokesman said.
Therefore, 50% of the total requirement should be provided expeditiously with the use or replacement of new carriages, he said.
Accordingly, the Cabinet Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Transport Minister to find an investor in compliance with the government procurement guidelines to manufacture 100 Railway Passenger carriages with the participation of private sector as a solution to fill the present shortcomings. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)