Rail track deterioration, lack of routine maintenance contributed to recent derailments: RSMU

20 September 2022 03:51 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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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Comments - 9

Dee Tuesday, 20 September 2022 04:31 PM

What to do? With an inefficient, overpaid and overstaffed railways department, who's unions are hellbent on obtaining more rights and benefits - the SLR will continue to deteriorate and make bigger losses!

No More Tax man Tuesday, 20 September 2022 05:34 PM

Railway system should upgrade with investments, BUT not as today which controlled by inefficient bunch on trade unions. Go for PPP and get private investments

Former Railway Staff Tuesday, 20 September 2022 05:51 PM

Let the truth be told. We are having the railway transport system for many many decades in Sri Lanka but never experienced frequent derailments as we are having now. MOST OF THE DERAILMENTS ARE HAPPENING ON THE TRACKS LAID BY INDIA. BUT BECAUSE LOT OF HIGH OFFICIALS HAD RECEIVED BRIBES FROM INDIA, NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO TELL THE TRUTH.

Mizaru Tuesday, 20 September 2022 06:55 PM

The Sri Lanka railway has always been given step motherly treatment. Even before the pandemic the railway ran on a shoe string budget. It was only due to dedication of railway technicians and labours that kept the railway running. Please not I have removed the engineers and above as they are time servers.

Mohamed Fahim Baksh Tuesday, 20 September 2022 07:18 PM

I think the worst rail track is the Colombo to Kandy. You feel like going on Horseback

modzya Tuesday, 20 September 2022 08:42 PM

Soon we will be without the rolling stock. Parliament goons will say walk to work you will become healthy.

Inshi Wednesday, 21 September 2022 12:20 AM

Whilst appreciating the services provided, it will be good if a little more thought is given to cleanliness and orderliness.

Indian Wednesday, 21 September 2022 12:23 AM

@ Former Railway Staff- you are talking BS. Indians and their supervision laid tracks from Omanthai to KKS. These tracks are very smooth and travelling is very pleasant. Where derailment is happening is very poor maintenance by the South. The maintenance staff is lazy and poorly trained.Don’t put the blame on Indians. They run millions of miles in India

Shortage of staff in Govt. Dept.??? Wednesday, 21 September 2022 08:23 AM

"Shortage of manpower and junior staff at railway stations!" There is Railway Track maintenance Dept. What has the staff at stations got to do with tracks? There was a time single track workers walk along the track, checking the bolts and nuts in rail joints; They did the job under rain or sun and the trains were safe. What happened to them?

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Rail track deterioration, lack of routine maintenance contributed to recent derailments: RSMU

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