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Amid capacity limits, railway caters more to high-yielding passengers
View(s):By Wasantha Ramanayake
“Even with the addition of few new trains and an increased number of carriages, we are still unable to cater to the demand,” he revealed adding that 120 carriages have been added.
However, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union head, Sumedha Somarathne charged that less than 10% of the carriages, would be used to transport economy class passengers. 
Passenger demand for train travel has increased because of higher fuel prices and bus fares
He said that out of 160 new carriages imported, around 60% are first class air-conditioned compartments.
“With the tripling of commuter volume, and a majority being economy class commuters, that does not make much difference to their travel agony, nor does that make much sense either to address the problem,” Mr Somarathna said.
Mr. Somarathne also revealed that new carriages had not been imported for goods transport.
“We have reasonable suspicions that this profit-making goods transportation arm is going to be privatised,” he said. Many goods trains services had been cancelled.
A senior official from Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) said that delays in engine repairs due to shortages of spare parts, such as brake cylinders and shoes, and engine oil, also hamper operations.
There had been a number derailments on the coastal line because of the non-availability of new steel rails to replace the old ones. “There is also a short supply of sleepers because of the cement shortages,” he added.
To ease the congestion, two compartments have been added to the daily Express “Rajina” plying between Anuradhapura and southern Beliatta. The capacity of the single power-set operating between coastal towns of Kalutara and Negombo, has been doubled, and ‘Samudra-Devi’ train which used to have eight compartments now has 12. The Colombo-Hikkaduwa daily commuter train also has 12 more compartments.
“But trains are still crowded,” the official said. The railway is still not able to meet passenger demand which has increased because of higher fuel prices and bus fares.
“We added 120 new compartments to two office trains and four long distance trains to boost the capacity,” he said.
There is an additional train to Badulla leaving Colombo on Friday and coming back to Colombo on Monday.’’ This is to ease the congestion of the Badulla night mail train on Friday nights from Colombo and Sunday nights from Badulla.
The Colombo-Trincomalee night train, which was discontinued during the pandemic has also been resumed, the official said.
Infrastructure issues make it impossible to add more compartments, he said.
“It is not possible to add more compartments. Two trains will not be able to pass each other in the same or in the opposite directions at certain stations on the northern line. This is because when larger trains with more compartments reach a platform, the traffic lights system would not allow the other trains to take the loop to by-pass the stationary train. “This issue could not be resolved in the short term. It needs an infrastructure overhaul,” he said.
“We have proposed operating larger trains, with more compartments. It is economical, rather than running trains with fewer carriages,” he said.
To operate larger trains, and to run them faster, the track should be even. However, currently, they are not even and could cause derailments, the official said.
“First, the line should be improved. This involves an action-plan to develop infrastructure, which would take around five years,” he said.
According to him, not only the loop line but also the yard has to be developed.
Infrastructure development had been contemplated for a long time. “Still, we have only three engines that are powerful enough to pull a large number of compartments,” he claimed.
His claim, however, was contradicted by the Station Masters Union head Mr Somarathne.
“There are more than 10 such powerful locomotives and this is an utter waste because if you can’t use them why have you bought them,” he asked.
Mr. Somarathne alleged that the more recently installed Medawachchiya-Talaimannar traffic lights are not working.
“Now, SLR is back to the colonial era ‘token’ system, which is older than previously used ‘tablet’ system and involves a safety risk.’’
However, a senior official of SLR assured: “We have a low traffic density with just two trains per day operating on that line.’’ Funds had been already received to upgrade the system, but it had not been done because it is not cost effective, he said.
He also confirmed that road barriers at level crossings along the northern line could not operate as the new telephone system could not be installed in road-side cabins, which do not have doors. “We will resolve this issue soon,” he assured.
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