October 9, 2020: The Department of Agriculture has decided to use railway services once again for the transportation of agricultural goods, after 50 years, officials said.
The aim of this initiative is to reduce high costs incurred when transporting agricultural goods via main roads, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize environmental pollution, Mahindananga Aluthgamage, the Minister of Agriculture said on Thursday (Oct. 08)
The Minister further noted that under this initiative, fertilizer will be transported directly between Colombo and the Trincomalee port.
Moreover, export products such as vegetables, fruits, and tea will be transported from the Northern, Southern, and Central agricultural lands, to the urban areas.
Compartments with deep freezer facilities will be used for the transportation of fish produce.
Minister Aluthgamage pointed out that at present close to Rs. 650 million is spent on the transportation of government fertilizer stocks annually; by using trains for the transportation of agricultural goods this cost could be reduced by 50%.
Source: News 1st
