The government suspended the import of 17 power sets (trains) from
India, until the completion of the ongoing investigations into the
quality of the recently imported power set from India, a minister said.
The first three power sets of a fleet of 20 were imported and one of
them was put on track last Friday for the Ruhunu Kumari office train.
The inaugural journey faced a snag when the power set came to an abrupt
halt near Hikkaduwa on its journey to Colombo from Matara last week. The
new power set reached Colombo Fort two hours past the scheduled time.
“We have already initiated an investigation into the suitability of
these Indian locomotives. We cannot let waste public funds for spurious
imports,” Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.
Minister Welgama also expressed his reservations about the quality of
these power sets imported from India under an Indian Credit Line and
added that a thorough test on the technical performance and the safety
of passengers had to be conducted before the Indian power sets are put
on track.
“I have appraised President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian High
Commissioner Ashok Kanth about the developments,” Minister Welgama
stressed.
The Sri Lanka Railways would never hesitate to terminate the contract to
import power sets if the investigation report recommends so, he said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)
Sourse: http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/10334-indian-power-sets-suspended.html
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 01:49:49 LKT
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