News
Hauling veggies by train put to the test
View(s):
Hauling veggies by train put to the test
By Kasun Wrakapaitiya
Vegetables could be transported more cost-effectively by using the railway and a trial was done this week to move a few plastic crates from Nanu Oya Station to Fort Railway Station.
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) senior research officer Duminda Priyadarshana said fuel costs could be reduced and fresh produce could reach Colombo.
He noted how fresh flowers picked from Bandarawela at dusk were delivered to Colombo by dawn.
“Similarly, vegetable transport could be sped up and the post harvest loss could be reduced by 60 to 70 percent,” he said. Trains can carry more crates of vegetables compared with trucks.
Mr Priyadarshana said the idea should be extended to Colombo, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, and other areas.
He suggested Government incentives to farmers to bring their produce to rail stations.
The railway could also use the carriages to transport essential commodities to the hill country, he said.
Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre Traders Association Chief Aruna Santha Hettiarachchi said vegetables were moved by train 23 years ago, but then traders opted to use trucks. But, trains could help reduce transport costs.
“When lorries (are used for) transport, the cost per kilo of vegetables is around Rs 30, but when the same amount is transported by train, it stays fresher, and arrives faster for the cost of Rs 8,’’ he said.
A senior official of the Railways commercial section said the trial sought to figure out the possibility of operating modified carriages to haul 12 tons of vegetables to Colombo from Nanu Oya. The future plan is to operate a train from Badulla to Colombo.
Areas to improve were noted, including loading and unloading. But these were not documented.
Five passenger carriages were modified and ventilation holes installed.
The Sunday Times understands that the department has not yet decided the date for the next trial run.
The general manager of Railways, W.A.S Gunasinghe told the Sunday Times said that this was a test run.
Trains can carry more crates of veggies compared with trucks. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksha
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!