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| Sunday, 22 August 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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No funds for road repairs The Ministry of Highways has complained that funds that have been granted by the Treasury in 2004 for the maintenance of main highways are inadequate to meet the vital needs of maintenace. Faced with this problem the Ministry has given priority only for critical issues rather to minor ones, Secretary to the Ministry of Highways Sarath Amarasekera told the "Sunday Observer" Business . He said that more than 11,500 km of road network under the department's purview, which needs more than Rs 3000 million per year for the proper maintenance of the entire network is needed to provide a better service to the public. He said that for the year 2004 the Treasury granted only Rs 850 million which is inadequate to maintain the country's major highways. Amarasekera said that given this current situation they were compelled to postpone some of the maintenance work till next year. He said that our highways built a century ago need to be widened with the increase in vehicles on the roads. Main highways have to be maintained at least once in three months to keep them in good condition with the heavy usage of vehicles, Amarasekera added. He said that some of the tasks of the department are fill up potholes, maintain drainage systems by the side of the road and renovate roads. He said that it costs more than Rs 300 to repair one square foot of highway especially on the Galle Road. Drainage systems are subject to blocks because of walls that have been built on the sides of the roads. This situation needs constant attention if roads going under water is to be prevented." This is one of the problems encountered by the department", The ministry of Highways Secretary said. The occupation by pavement hawkers on the side of main roads is also become one of the looming problems facing the department in the maintenancce of roads Amarasekera concluded. (H H.S) |
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