New bridge for Oddamavadi
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The new Oddamavadi bridge constructed at a cost of Rs. 770
million was opened to the public by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa on Friday. The bridge on the Trikodiadumadu -
Valaichchenai Batticaloa road was funded by the Spanish
Government. Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Ameer Ali,
Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan and Secretary, Highways Ministry
Wasantha Karannagoda were also present. Pix: Sudath
Malaweera |
President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially opened the new Oddamavadi
bridge on Friday. The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 770 million
across the Oddamavadi lagoon, will be a big boon to the people in the
area in their day to day activities.
It fulfils another pledge given in the Mahinda Chintana to build this
new bridge in place of the old Oddamavadi bridge which will directly
benefit the public entering Valachenai town.
The Oddamavadi bridge is located on
Trikodiadumadu-Valachenai-Batticaloa road where it has been focused on
developing urban growth with industrial, tourist and commercial
activities as the base. It is expected to boost the economic activities
in the Eastern Province with the construction of this bridge.
These strategies are considered to generate income and employment
within the region. The Spanish Government has funded for the bridge
which is 250 metres in length while the width is 10.5 metres.
Work on the new bridge commenced on November 17, 2007 to replace the
old bridge which was constructed by the British 86 years ago.
The construction was accelerated on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's
directive who as Highways and Road Development Minister submitted a
Cabinet Paper in 2007.
He said that the President as the responsible Minister for Highways
and Road Development in the country has instructed the officials of
relevant authorities to accelerate the rehabilitation and widening of
the old road network while constructing new bridges replacing the old
ones to make hassle free public transport for people living in the North
and the East.
Therefore, the Highways and Road Development Ministry with the
assistance of the Road Development Authority are engaged in the
construction of roads, bridges, flyovers and tunnels to improve the
market approachability and facilitate transportation at a low cost under
the Mahinda Chinthanaya Program," he said.
Construction work was supervised by the Road Development Authority
and the Highways and Road Development Ministry, he said. Meanwhile, the
Government has taken measures to commission the carpeted road from
Polonnaruwa to Trikodiadumadu via Manampitya (A15) for the benefit of
Northerners. |
