People-centred development

The decision to allow the public to witness the construction of Sri Lanka's second international airport at Mattala in the deep South will no doubt be commended by all right-thinking citizens. The 2,000 hectare construction site of the Mattala airport in the Hambantota district will be open for public view from November, says the Ports and Aviation Ministry.

The proposed US$ 200 million airport has a 3.5 kilometre long and 75 metre wide runway. It is to be opened for flight operations from 2012, in tandem with the international port in Magampura.

When completed, the new airport, an alternative to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, will support both international and domestic travel and air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the Magampura Port.

The authorities have taken this laudable decision to 'open' the construction site for public view following the huge success of a similar arrangement for the Magampura Port. It became a hot spot for local tourists and students in the past few months and the authorities expect the airport site too will attract students and tourists. Both sites are also likely to attract foreign tourists, including construction and architecture students.

This is indeed a novel trend in the development arena. Earlier, development projects used to be shrouded in secrecy and off limits to the public. Questions were sometimes raised on the transparency and accountability processes associated with these projects, because no one from outside had access to them.

Now the public will be able to see every stage of the airport project. This is the correct step, as the airport is being built for the people of Sri Lanka. Indeed, the beneficiaries of all development projects are the people, not the authorities. Another tangible benefit is that people will feel they are part of the development process when they can observe the progress of a given project at close quarters, not on television.

That is an essential requirement for people-centred development. The Magampura Port is creating such a buzz locally because thousands of people were able to see the inland harbour project taking shape step by step. It was a novel experience for most people who would certainly have experienced a feeling of elation after seeing such a huge project.

The airport, being a similarly massive project, will create more enthusiasm for the people for development activities. After all, apart from fully foreign funded projects, it is usually their tax rupees at work. Thus transparency and accountability are essential components of the development process. People are the ultimate decision makers when it comes to development and the Government is actually fulfilling their requirements as per its policy documents.

It goes without saying that all safety measures must be ensured for visitors to the site, keeping to international safety standards. An airport site is a massive construction area and certain sections will have to remain restricted for the safety and security of visitors. The media must highlight this aspect in their coverage of the airport construction.

Schools and universities should organise tours to the site for their students. It is a lesson in living history and they would feel part of the event. The authorities may arrange voluntary guides at the site for such groups and perhaps a leaflet giving all details of the airport can be distributed among all visitors. This could itself become a valuable souvenir later. Visitors should also be given a chance to contribute in their own way towards the success of this unprecedented project.

The airport site should be made more accessible to those who wish to visit it. We are sure that enterprising private bus operators would begin transport services to and from the airport construction site to facilitate the hordes of visitors. Roads should be improved and road signs should also be clearly marked for those who wish to use their own vehicles. When the project is completed, these shall remain to direct travellers to the brand new airport, the second international airport in the country after the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

A rail link to the airport is also vital. The authorities are planning such a link in parallel with the expansion of the Southern railway line to Kataragama. There is also a proposal to link the two international airports via a fast rail link. This will be a boon to all transit travellers who wish to travel to either airport to catch a flight, not to mention those heading to their homes and hotels en route. Helicopter links have also been suggested.

All other infrastructure facilities should come up in the area to serve the users of the airport and the seaport. Hotels and restaurants, transport hubs, medical facilities and communication facilities are among them. The construction of these facilities should also begin now, so that they would be ready when the airport opens in 2012. The proposed Convention Centre too will be an integral part of the Port-Airport mega city project. It is expected that the public will also be given a ringside seat to view these projects.

Allowing the public to see 'development at work' is a novel idea that has already paid dividends, especially with the onset of peace. Any citizen from any part of Sri Lanka is now free to see development projects taking shape. Such people's participation is vital in a vibrant democracy. It would also lead to the consolidation of unity and harmony.

The people must be given a greater say in the development process, especially via their local bodies. They have a superior knowledge on the development needs of their villages and are in a unique position to offer advice on the same to their elected representatives in local bodies and in Parliament.

The local bodies must be strengthened and granted more powers where possible to deal with development issues. They could liaise effectively with the Provincial councils and the Central Government to take micro and mid-level development projects forward. National, regional or local, development projects ultimately benefit the whole country and its people. A greater voice for the masses in development will thus accelerate Sri Lanka's drive towards becoming a front ranking Asian nation.