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Devis and Menikes are hustling and bustling again
Badulla station: All set for a long distance trip. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa
All the Devis and Menikes were back on track this week, tooting their way to picturesque corners of the country after a three-month silence caused by the second COVID outbreak.
“Long-distance passenger travel is increasing slowly and gradually. With the country opening to tourists and Lankans living overseas, there will definitely be a demand for long-distance trains,” Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said.
This week saw the resumption of major railway services. The Yaal Devi express (Mt Lavinia-Kankesanthurai-Mt Lavinia) and the Uttara Devi inter-city (Colombo Fort-Kankesanthurai-Colombo Fort) headed north while the Podi Menike express left the Fort railway station heading towards the scenic up-country route to Badulla.
Intercity express trains such as Colombo Fort-Kandy-Colombo Fort, Maradana-Beliatta-Maradana and Matara-Colombo Fort-Matara also commenced this week. All other daily trains will return to normal operations tomorrow.
Temperature checking at the Badulla station
Precautionary measures are being taken to ensure long-distance journeys are safe.
“All stations are equipped with hand-washing facilities. Passengers’ temperatures are checked for long-distance travel, and as seats are reserved we do obtain all passenger details. There will be one passenger per seat and there’ll be a strict prohibition on trading and begging,” Mr. Fernando said.
He is of the view that the dangers of COVID spreading lie in office trains, not long-distance trains.
“Each train will be thoroughly disinfected before the journey begins and once it reaches its destination. Train guards will be provided with personal protective gloves and face shields,” the Railways GM said.
The stationmaster on duty at the Badulla railway station told the Sunday Times local tourist groups and families are arriving, especially from cities, to escape being home-bound due to COVID-19.
“Sometimes they even forget that wearing masks is compulsory here. We have to warn the passengers to wear masks and follow health guidelines,” he said.Stationmaster (booking) at the Jaffna railway station, M. Nirubharan, also sees a gradual increase in passengers arriving on long-distance trains.
Masked and ready for the ride
He emphasised that health guidelines are followed to ensure the railway journey is safe. “Temperatures are checked by police guards, and the contact details of all passengers are taken down as a further precaution,” he said.
“With the airport opened we can expect even more locals as well as foreign nationals,” Mr. Nirubharan added.
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