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Indian locos come with operating issues
View(s):Locomotive engine drivers say that some locomotives and power sets provided under the Indian credit line are of poor quality.
Locomotive Operating Engineers Union chairman Chandana Wiyanduwa told the Sunday Times that some locomotives provided under the Indian credit line are too heavy or too lengthy for local conditions.
He said that Indian power sets, S Ceylon, have many issues related to the braking systems. Corrosion, engine repairs and replacement of parts are also issues.
Mr. Wiyanduwa complained that engine drivers are forced to work on defective trains and working conditions are difficult and dangerous. There are issues with braking systems.
He claimed that even though India provides good quality trains to other countries, they provide low quality trains to Sri Lanka under the credit line.
A senior rail official said that Sri Lanka’s train engine operators compare the Hungarian and other European train sets to Indian trains. The European trains are more durable. But, as the Indian trains are given under a credit line it is an opportunity to obtain train sets.
According to him, based on Indian specifications, parts need to be replaced rather than repaired, whereas in Sri Lanka, the railway repairs and re-uses parts.
Another official also added that S Ceylon power sets must be refurbished and parts replaced every five years. But, this has not been done for 12 years.
He added that ministers also politically appoint untrained labourers to train repair sections. They cause damage and steal parts.
The official added that engineers and other skilled staff also resign due to payment issues therefore the train repairs as well as maintenance too have been issued.
The official admitted that there are no turntables that can handle M-11 train engines. The M-11 engine has the body of a 16 cylinder diesel locomotive, but has a 12-cylinder engine.
Such specifications should be addressed before purchases are made, under credit lines, he said.
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