Pilot project to transport vegetables from upcountry by train reviewed

Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has instructed Ministry officials to prepare a detailed report on the project of transporting vegetables and fruits by train.

A special discussion was held yesterday at the Transport and Highways Ministry Auditorium to review the project of transporting vegetables and fruits from upcountry to Colombo by train, which was presented as a proposal in the recent Budget.

Accordingly, the Railways Department conducted a trial run recently using special carriages to assess the possibility of transporting fruits and vegetables grown in the hill country, maintaining high-quality standards, to Colombo and other dedicated economic centres across the country.

The trial run centred on railway stations such as Hali Ella, Ohia, Ambewela, Pattipola and Nanuoya with the contribution of private sector organizations engaged in the transportation and supplying of fruits and vegetables on large-scale basis.

Minister Gunawardena questioned the public officials and the officials of the private sector organizations contributing to the project about the current situation and the observations obtained from the research drive.

Accordingly, the officials of the Railways Department explained that five carriages which are currently removed from passenger transport, were suitably modified with facilities for the transportation of vegetables and fruits.

They said that attention had been paid to the methods followed in the transportation of vegetables and fruits by trains to the North and East during the war.

Also, the representatives of these organizations explained the need to transport the vegetables and fruits in a safe manner, at minimum cost, and in minimum time, as followed by the supermarket chains and goods distribution agencies that are currently engaged in transporting fruits and vegetables.

The Minister instructed the officials to prepare a report containing detailed information on this subject and submit it him by the first week of February with the agreement of all parties.

The Minister also instructed to get the direct opinions of the suppliers who are currently transporting vegetables and fruits by lorries to the economic centres in and around Colombo.