Temporary gates at railway crossings removed
All temporary gates at level crossings in the Galle District were removed last week and reason given was that personnel handling these bamboo gates very often failed to report for duty mainly because of the meagre monthly allowance of Rs 3,500 paid to them.
Temporary bamboo gates were installed on the direction of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa following a school bus -train collision at the Ahungalle level crossing, about 20 years ago, in which around 25 school children were killed. Following this accident temporary bamboo gates were installed at all unprotected level crossings all over the country.
Galle District Railway Engineer P. Deegala told The Island that temporary hands operating the bamboo gates were not attached to the Railway Department and were recruited by Divisional Secretaries for a meagre Rs. 3,500.
Deegala said at least now the motorist know that there are no bamboo gates and take extra precaution when approaching unprotected level crossings. Warning signs and red lights have been displayed at all level crossings to warn motorists.
by Lalaji Manawadu, Ambalangoda.
Source: The Island
