By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Indian train engines imported to Sri Lanka under an Indian credit line would be idle till the end of this year due to a delay in importing the suitable compartments, Department of Railways General Manager M.J.D. Fernando told The Sunday Morning. He said the engines could only be fitted to the relevant compartments which were to be imported from India, but due to an issue with the tendering process, the importation had been delayed and, as a result, the engines would not be used until the compartments arrive. Accordingly, a total of 10 M-11 engines and 160 compartments were to be imported under an Indian credit line. Eight engines have so far arrived while the rest were expected within the next two weeks. The suitability of Indian engines to the local railway system has been questioned by the railway unions which claimed that the Department would incur millions in losses as these engines could only be used for two lines including the Northern line and Coastal line up to Galle. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ceylon Railway Employees General Union head S.P. Vithanage said the engines were not suitable for local rail tracks and as a result, the Department had to change the parts to make it track-worthy. According to Vithanage, the cost of an engine was around Rs. 750 million. The Department is also planning to import another 160 Indian-manufactured compartments in which the suitability had yet to be checked, he added. Explaining the unsuitability of the train engine, the trade unionists said the weight of the train engine was around 120 tonnes and the length was 72 feet. “The engine is more powerful than the existing train engine which is at about 3,500 horsepower and the train could run faster than the existing trains but the problem is, on Sri Lankan railway tracks, we can’t run at that speed,” he added. “The Indian engine has an air break system but since we have to climb mountains in Sri Lanka, we need a vacuum break system,” he added. Responding to the allegations made by the unions, Railways General Manager Fernando said there were several issues but these types of engines were currently being used on local railtracks. “New engines would not be used for Kelley Valley and the Kandy Line and arrangements have already been made to extend the railway line in Galle, and after the extension, the engines would be able to run up to Beliatta,” he added. Even though the body and several parts were manufactured in India, the motors have been manufactured in the US and therefore, there were no issues with the quality, Fernando explained.