by: Irangika Range

The Government has decided to construct seven new flyovers this year aiming to ease the huge traffic congestion in Colombo and suburbs. Seven flyovers in Nugegoda (261m), Kohuwala (219m), Dehiwala (335m), Junction of Rajagiriya and Welikada, (555m), Panadura (288m) Kelaniya South (300m) and Kelaniya (North) will be constructed at a cost of Sterling Pounds 33 million. The project is funded by the UK Government.

According to the Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Minister Bandula Gunawardhana, construction work on the flyover in Nugegoda is due to commence this month. He said under the resurgence programme of Mahinda Chinthanaya this programme will be expedited.

He said commuters, vehicle owners and passengers were affected by the huge traffic congestion in Colombo and its suburbs. The seven flyovers will vastly contribute for the immense development of these towns. He said the larger part of compensation to people who lost their houses due to the construction of a flyover in Nugegoda was paid recently.

The balance compensation is expected to be paid with immediate effect. "The land acquiring procedure for the flyover in Nugegoda is on now," he said. The plans for the construction of flyovers in Colombo in suburbs were formulated when President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a Minister of Highways and Road Development, He said. He said these seven flyovers will be constructed under the guidance of Acting Highways and Road Development Minister T.B. Ekanayaka.

The Minister has obtained Cabinet approval for these projects last week.

(Courtesy : Daily News )