News
Railways to temporarily halt night goods trains in elephant-prone areas
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Following a fatal collision between an oil tanker train and elephants, Sri Lanka Railways is considering temporarily suspending night-time operations of goods trains in areas known for elephant crossings.
The decision comes after two elephants were killed and one injured in a collision between an oil tanker train and elephants crossing the rail track in an area between Gal Oya and Hingurakgoda in the early hours of Friday. The incident also resulted in the derailment of the train and the overturning of two fuel tankers.
The Railways proposed the measure at a meeting on Friday held at the Minneriya army camp and attended by officials of the Railways, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Polonnaruwa District Secretary, the Hingurakgoda Divisional Secretary, and District Disaster Management officials who had visited the site of the accident.
Sri Lanka Railways General Manager S.S. Mudalige told the Sunday Times they would discuss the plan with officials of railway operations and other stakeholders, such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and wildlife officials, and would go ahead with the plan if all were in agreement.
He said discussions were held with the Polonnaruwa District Secretary on the possibility of having an underpass at the site of the collision as a long-term measure to avert such accidents in the future.
He said a three-member committee has been appointed to look into the incident.
Mr. Mudalige said he, along with engine drivers, had participated in a Wildlife Department training programme on averting train collisions with elephants. However, the driver who was operating the train at the time of the incident had not taken part in it and was employed on a contract basis.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has called for increased cooperation from the Railways to mitigate the risk of elephant-train collisions.
DWC Director General Chanadana Sooriyabandara pointed out that the site of the accident is a well-known elephant crossing path, and a similar accident had occurred several years ago.
Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
He said the department had complied with the Railway Department’s request and cleared the sides of the track to increase visibility in addition to setting up signs on the side of the railway track to warn drivers to reduce speed and be vigilant.
He said in addition DWC officials conduct meetings and educational programmes for Railway drivers on how to reduce train accidents that lead to injury and deaths of elephants.
He said the elephant that sustained injuries from the collision was being treated.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is assessing the losses incurred due to the incident and the amount of fuel that has been salvaged.
CPC Chairman Janaka Rajakaruna told the Sunday Times that he is awaiting a report.
Mr. Rajakaruna added that the oil tanker train comprised seven tankers each carrying 45,400 litres Three tankers were carrying petrol while four contained diesel.
Two of the petrol tankers toppled during the collision, with one completely emptying while the other tanker had some petrol remaining in it.
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