Take steps to remove the scrap metal, within three-months

The Minister of Transport PavithraWanniarachchi today (25) instructed the General Manager of Railways to sell scrap materials in all yards of the Railway Department within three months according to the proper tender procedures.

 

The Minister gave these instructions to the General Manager when she visited the Railway Mechanical Engineering Yard at Dematagoda this morning (25).

According to the information received, it is revealed that there are about 7000 metric tons of such scrap material in the yards of the department and by selling these, the department could earn around Rs. 700 million in this year.

 

The Dematagoda Mechanical Railway Yard handles about 2300 employees and carries out daily repairs to the train services, maintenance during train derailments and emergencies.

 

During the visit, the Minister inquired about the problems faced by the technicians and employees of the Dematagoda Mechanical Engineering Yard. Accordingly, General Manager of Railways DhammikaJayasundara was instructed to provide them with the necessary sanitary facilities, rest facilities and restaurant facilities as soon as possible.

 

The Minister who addressed on this visit

 

The Government, including the President and the Minister of Finance, has set a goal for me to transform the Railway Department into a profitable institution by 2022. The Ministry has prepared a new revenue generation plan for this purpose. An 11 member committee has been appointed for this purpose.

 

But we will never increase the fees for services provided to the public for the purpose of generating revenue. There are plans to further expand freight and oil transportation.

 

Secretary to the Ministry Monty Ranatunga, General Manager of Railways DhammikaJayasundara and a group of officials were present on this occasion.