Rail transportation of petroleum to be increased

Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila said that at present, 35 percent of the fuel is transported by rail and that he wishes to increase transportation of petroleum via rail by 60 percent.

He said about 65 percent of fuel is being transported by bowsers at present.

Minister Gammanpila expressed these views at parliament’s Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy.

At the meeting, MP Udayana Kirindigoda pointed out that petroleum was previously transported by rail which resulted in the development of storage facilities near railway stations such as Peradeniya.

However, he emphasized that given that petroleum is being transported via bowsers at present, traffic congestion has risen and resources are not being utilized properly.

Acknowledging the concerns, the minister said that in addition to heavy congestion and the underutilization of resources, it is also costly and contributes largely towards environmental pollution