Mankulam a regional capital soon
by P. Krishnaswamy
A centrally located northern rural town, Mankulam, 30 kilometres from
Vavuniya on the A 9 highway would be developed as a Regional
Administrative Capital along with the resettlement and rehabilitation of
over 250,000 IDPs now in the Vavuniya and Chettikulam welfare villages.
With the French GIS satellite mapping system, the Government has
identified Mankulam to be developed as a provincial administrative
capital. Accordingly, the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area
Development would launch the program within one year, Ministry Secretary
Dr. P. Ramanujam said.
As Mankulam is close to Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Anuradhapura,
the rural village could be developed as an administrative capital. The
availability of space, water and electricity facilities are other
advantages.
Development work will be implemented on a phase wise program in
relation to project packages on a priority basis with the Government’s
resettlement program, Ramanujam said.
The Urban Development areas encompass the surrounding villages
including Vannivilankulam, Ambalpuram, Kollavilankulam, Oddaruththakulam,
Manavalanpaddarippu, Thachchadampan, Olumadu, Ambakmam, Panikkankulam,
Thirumurugandi, Inthupuram, Kanakarayankulam, Kanakarayankulam North and
Mankulam.
The comprehensive development as a Metro Urban Centre would be phased
over 20 years (2009-2030), with the anticipated initial population
100,000 increasing up to 500,000 in 2030.
The Priority Action Project building complexes to be constructed
include a Provincial Council Secretariat, Police Complex, Courts
Complex, Transport Terminals, including a bus and railway station,
Regional Prisons Complex and an Open Prison, Regional Sports Complex,
Hindu Religious Centre, Hospital Complexes (public and private),
Regional Postal Complex, Commercial and Financial Institutions and
Regional Police Training Centre, the Ministry Secretary said.
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