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We have to upgrade and install a new signal system : Minister

18 Sep 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

“The railway department currently uses an old signal system. We have to upgrade and install a new signal system,” Minister Welgama speaking exclusively to the Daily Mirror said.

The Alawwa train collision which resulted in the death of three people and injured more than thirty has caused a loss of about Rs.80 million to the Railway Department, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said today.

He said the observation compartment cost around Rs.25 million and the damage caused to the Indian built train was around Rs.50 million. “We have not identified any engine damages so far. If there are any damages to the engine the entire loss will be around Rs.100 million,” he said.

“We have to get hold of the railway guard because he plays a significant role when the train driver overlooks signals that are being given to him. He can apply the breaks when it is needed,” he said.

“We have interdicted him from service as we began an investigation. We do not have the train driver and his assistant to know what exactly happened. We only have the railway guard,” he added. The train driver and his assistant perished during the collision along with a French national.

“I went to the site had a look at everything from scratch. I spoke to most of the injured. What they told me was that the train was travelling at more than the average speed,” the Minster added.

“The railway department currently uses an old signal system. We have to upgrade and install a new signal system,” Minister Welgama said.

“I have also instructed the Railways General Manager to investigate whether the signals were given correctly to the deceased train driver. We can track down the signals from the Colombo railway room too,” he said.

Three people including a French national were killed and 37 persons were injured when three trains collided at the Alawwa railway station on Saturday evening. By yesterday, only twenty were reported to be in hospital while the rest had been discharged.

A train plying to Polgahawela from Colombo collided with the Rambukkana bound train from behind. It crashed into the observation compartment of the Rambukkana bound train killing the train driver and his assistant of the Polgahawela bound train.

At the time of the incident the Polgahawela bound train was to be used to push forward another train up to Polgahawela which had stopped at the Alawwa station due to a technical failure.

Two passengers who are in a critical condition are receiving treatment at the ICU of the Kurunegala General Hospital.
The French national was identified as Remie Claude (50). The train driver was A. Kaluarachchi (52) and his assistant was Nihal Udahalankara (49). (Supun Dias)

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We have to upgrade and install a new signal system : Minister

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