Rs. 500m to renovate damaged roads and bridges

by Ananda Kannangara

The Ports and Highways Ministry has allocated Rs. 500 million to renovate over 10,000 kilometres of the road network in the country and nearly 2,000 bridges and culverts that were severely damaged due to the recent rains.

A spokesman for the Ministry said that last month's heavy rains and floods had caused severe damage to several roads, bridges, culverts, anicuts and houses in the North Central and Wayamba provinces.

In addition, a large stretch of road in the Puttalam and Hambantota districts had also been damaged due to floods. Roads were also damaged in the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotalawala told the Sunday Observer that several kilometres of newly laid carpeted roads in the city and suburban areas had also been affected due to the rains and priority will be given to renovate these roads to minimise traffic jams.

He said renovation work on roads, bridges and culverts will commence no sooner the current weather conditions improve.

A senior official of the Disaster Management Centre, Lal Kumara said that flood waters in most areas have receded and relief will be provided to those affected.

The recent floods had affected 315,196 persons in 20 districts. Forty-two persons died due to floods and landslides.