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Slow train to disaster

By Nilika Kasturisinghe,
Faraza Farook and Shanika Udawatte One million rail commuters have been badly hit by a 'go slow' in the Railways with a journey that takes seven hours now taking ten.
Despite the railways being the backbone of the country and the nation's productivity depending on an efficient rail system, rail workers charge that due to the indifference of governments the railway is grinding to a halt.

Late attendance in offices and schools is soon going to be a common occurence if the 'go slow' continues in the Railway Department with poorly maintained tracks, increasing the chances of derailment. Despite the risks and inconvenience people opt to use the rail due to cheaper fares. A bus trip from Colombo to Gampaha would cost about Rs. 20 whereas by train it would be five rupees.

The postponement of a scheduled meeting with Railway officials and trade unions at Temple Trees on Tuesday, triggered off a sick note campaign by one of the Railway trade unions resulting in the 'go slow'.The restriction in speed dropped to 30 mph (48 kmph) on average. The speed limit had already seen a gradual decline from 45 to 35 mph (72 to 56 kmph). Beyond Nawalapitiya, due to the incline on the hilly roads the speed restriction has been lowered to15 kmph.

The sick note campaign, which began on February 11, will climax in a massive demonstration on Tuesday when 25 trade unions comprising 15,000 members will take to the streets in front of the Transport Ministry.

Twenty five trade unions joined hands to form one organization which came into being on January 27, to voice the deficiencies in the Railway Department in order to safeguard Railway workers' rights and Railway properties.

One of the main reasons for the agitation is that the government has not made budgetary allocations to develop the railways. On Friday Transport Minister Tilak Marapana held discussions with Finance Minister K.N. Choksy to obtain urgent funds for urgent repairs, but that would not help to resolve the crisis (See separate story). Unionists charge that no funds had been allocated for the 'New Works' of the Railways Department which means that no funds could be spent for replacement of any outdated items such as sleepers for railway tracks- a basic necessity in day-to-day maintenance of the tracks.

For instance each rail compartment requires brake blocks each costing about Rs. 1000. Sixteen brake blocks are required for four wheels. A train with eight coaches requires 128 such brake blocks. A train running from Maradana to Alutgama makes about 25 stops. If this train makes a return journey it would make about 50 stops. On every trip it makes, half the brake blocks are wasted, costing Rs. 128,000 to run one slow train for three turns.This is not taking into account the cost of general wear and tear, glasses, seats, cleaning, adjusting brakes, realigning wheels, and wastage that take place in the brake box etc.

The Motive Power Sub Department which handles the maintenance of railway vehicles, locomotives, carriages etc is handicapped due to the shortage in funds. Chief Locomotive Foreman H.L.R. Fonseka said there is a drastic drop in the allocation for 2003 which is approximately 1.8 million compared to the Rs. 40 million in 2001 and 90 million in 2002.

This time only the recurrent funds were paid while the capital account was withheld, he said.

The Railways presently owes the CPC Rs. 600 million. CPCs Deputy General Manager Finance,W.W. Gunasekera, said by the end of this month the Railway Department had to pay Rs. 200 million and by end March it had to clear all outstanding debts. Thereafter the credit limit would be 115 million. Incidentally the Railway incurs more expenditure than what is recovered through passenger fares. While a ticket from Ratmalana to Fort costs Rs. 3.50, the running cost is four times this amount.

Trade Unionists charge that the crisis has occurred due to the lack of a national plan with long-term objectives. Each time a new Transport Minister takes over, new projects are begun to suit their political agendas and there is no continuance of work already begun.

They also charge that the government was intentionally ignoring the maintenance of the Railways to quicken its alleged privatization.

"The government has deliberately run the railway to the ground in a move to privatize," former Transport Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told The Sunday Times. "Every engine, every carriage has to be serviced and there has been a big cut in the budget."
The All Ceylon Railway Employees' General Union Secretary Sumathipala Manawadu speaking to The Sunday Times alleged that the Government intended to privatize the Railways Department sector by sector due to opposition from trade unions to privatising it overnight. "The cleaning segment has already been handed over to Abans.

Outside consultancy services are sought while we have engineers within the department. This will slowly lead to full privatization."

According to Mr. Manawadu, US $ 200,000 was paid to International Rail Consultants for the consultancy services for rehabilitation of the railway line along the 30 km track from Valaichenai to Batticaloa. Cabinet approval had also been granted on October 23, 2002 to select a domestic consultant.

While qualified engineers of the Railway Department are left to idle, pensioners are appointed as consultants, Mr. Manawadu charged.

Funds amounting to Rs. 258 million were received from a Japanese lending agency to develop the Railway Quarry at Ambepussa. However, work has come to a halt with Rs. 171 million remaining unaccounted for, he said.

"One main reason for the rapid downfall of the Railway Department is the corruption that has been going on within the department at higher levels", W. A. D. Piyasena, President of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Dumriya Sevaka Sangamaya said.

"One example for this is the wooden sleepers which were imported at a cost of over 3000 rupees each. They are now lying at the Maradana Railway Yard as they are not suitable for use", Mr. Piyasena said.

Massive outstanding debts, another reason for lack of funds is likely to be given as an excuse for privatization, trade unions allege.

"In spite of outstanding debts senior officials haven't considered the reopening of the Railway Workshop in Ratmalana which produced hardware and other accessories needed for the Railway Department", President of the Sri Lanka Railway Workers Association, D.M.D. Abeyratne said. Now the Department has to buy all its hardware from the private sector at a rate much higher than its production cost, he said.

In recent times, frequent trade union action by railway employees has put commuters in much difficulty. The curtailment of several financial benefits such as overtime payments and travel allowances has led to the many trade union actions.

This situation has prompted employees to stick to normal work schedules avoiding overtime which has slowed down the day-to-day functions.

Moreover, productivity on the railway system has decreased due to the acute loss of manpower. With no recruitments being made and the existing vacancies being suppressed by a government circular last year, officials complain of the burden on existing employees. The cadre requirement is increasing as people retire and no replacements take place.

No recruitment has been made except in the case of engine drivers and guards. In some sectors recruitment has not been made since 1993.

General Manager Railways, Priyal de Silva when contacted declined to comment on the issue.

Unpaid bills, unused lands

Like many other state institutions the Railway while being in the red is also saddled with big bills which other state bodies owe to it.

The Auditor General has revealed that Sathosa storage rents running into more than 23 million for eight stores in Colombo were yet unclaimed by the Railway. About Rs. 2.5 million is yet to be recovered from Puttlam Cement for the transportation of limestone. Internal auditors have sent reminders on outstanding rent to be recovered from various companies using the services of the Railways Department but no money has come.

A Railway Union chief W. A. D. Piyasena said Railway land given on lease to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in areas like Kandy, Hatton, Badulla and Haputale did not generate a reasonable income as the rates paid by the CPC have not been revised for 20 years.

He and other union leaders said the under utilisation or misuse of Railway assets was one of the main reasons for the financial reversals.

Railway supervisors union treasurer H. L. R. Fonseka said the reservation land on either side of the railway tracks, -which range from 33 feet to 66 feet, had been taken over by shanty dwellers who did not pay a cent to the Railway.

Another union leader D. M. D. Abeyratne said vacant areas in main Railway Stations like Fort and Kandy should be used to set up sales outlets.

Too little too late?
In the face of a 'go slow' campaign, Transport Minister Tilak Marapana moved to release funds from the Treasury following discussions with Finance Minister K.N. Choksy. However, Railway unions charge that the funds were insufficient given the years of neglect.

A committee has also been appointed to look into discrepancies in the allocation of funds under recurrent and capital expenditures.

No money, no money

The Sunday Times spoke to State Transport Minister Upali Piyasoma regarding the rumble in the Railway.

Q - What steps have you taken to resolve the go-slow campaign?

A - The Railway Department is facing a financial crisis and the workers too have some problems. We are looking at the best possible ways to resolve these.

Q - Does the government take responsibility for the safety of train commuters ?

A - Yes.

Q - What is the main problem in the Railway?

A - On one hand there is a problem regarding over time payments, and the employees don't want to work. On the other hand the government is also facing financial problems.

Q - Is there a plan to get funding from foreign countries?

A -Certainly. We are seeking funds for the maintenance of tracks, signals, carriages and engines. We are talking to several countries and will take the best offer. Australia, India, Rumania, and China have made offers. We are looking particularly at an offer by India.

Q - In recent years many railway disasters have occurred and probe committees appointed but most of it has gone under the tunnel.

A - We don't have money to implement some of those proposals.

Q - They say the tracks are bad but overloading could cause accidents. What have you done to reduce the load?

A - We need more carriages but have no money to buy them.

Q - Are you planning to increase rail fares?

A - No.

Q - Is anyone trying to cripple the Railways by cutting off funds to pave the track for privatisation?

A - No.

 

 


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