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‘Promise’ is only a word
View(s):Story and pix by S.Siriwardane.
For how long can these decorative paving stones take this strain placed on them…
Despite government’s assurance that it would install railway gates at unprotected level crossings, there still remain around 600 unprotected crossings which are veritable death traps. One of these death traps is the crossing at Rockland junction, Beruwala.
Last week about 30 persons were injured when an express train rammed into a van at this unprotected level crossing.
A similar accident occurred on Friday night at another unprotected crossing which resulted in the van being severely damaged. “This Rockland Junction Crossing is used as a short cut to Galle Road. The crossing is built on a steep incline leading to the Galle Road. Many vehicle owners risk their lives using this short cut, as the road is always very busy.
“The sign board erected at the spot is not even noticeable. Vehicles are more vulnerable at nights,” Asanga Pathirana, a driver from this area said.
 Decorative paving stones used in gardens and pavements in Colombo seem to have been used to keep the tracks in place |
 The steep incline and the permanently busy Galle road, pose a risk to vehicles using this level crossing |
 On Friday a van was severely damaged when it was hit by a train at another unprotected crossing near the Rockland Junction crossing |
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