Only 50 of the Railway Department’s 98 locomotives are currently operational, according to a departmental report.

The report states that 74 locomotives are required to maintain railway services under normal conditions. The department had 53 operational locomotives in 2024.

Of the 242 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) in the fleet, only 118 are currently operational, while 193 are required for normal services.

Railway unions have linked the shortages to daily cancellations and delays and are planning a strike on 17 September. A discussion with the Ministry of Transport Secretary is scheduled for today (14).