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| Sunday, 7 May 2006 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Traffic congestion has adverse effect on economy by Lalin Fernandopulle There are over two million vehicles in Colombo and two hundred thousand vehicles are added to this number annually. It is anticipated that by the end of 2006 the number of vehicles will be over 2.2 million. The increase in the number of vehicles is the primary reason for traffic congestion which in turn has an adverse impact on the economy, Commissioner for Motor Traffic W. Wijeratne said. The waste of time and fuel is a loss on savings and foreign exchange caused by a poor road network. On week days the public cannot get to their workplaces on time due to traffic congestion. Every second and minute spent on the roads is a waste of fuel and one's time which has an adverse effect on the national economy. Wijeratne said nearly 230 imported vehicles are registered daily and most owners confine their travelling to Colombo. The reason is that today everyone wants to use a private vehicle probably a car for comfortable travelling. Therefore with the demand for cars the imports increases. To accommodate all these vehicles in a small city such as Colombo we need to develop our road network with an efficient transportation system. Priority should be to develop the railway system which is an effective mode of transportation. He said the railway service should be programmed with a time table compatible with the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). This will not only ease traffic congestion but also minimise the waste of time in travelling. Car banning is another possibility of reducing traffic congestion in the city. This could be worked out in a way that the use of cars will be prohibited on a particular day during the week. On that day car-users will have to use public transportation. Traffic Division OIC Fort, I.P.A Chandrasena stressed the need for an organised team of police personnel to control the vehicle flow to and fro Colombo. A penalty should be imposed on errant drivers without fear or favour. Constant repairs of roads is another reason for traffic congestion. We do not have a proper drainage system and on rainy days most roads in Colombo are submerged by flood water causing inconvenience to the public transportation. He said pavements are used by business organisations allegedly offering bribes to local authorities. Private vehicles parked on pavements is an obstruction to pedestrians and causes accidents. As in Singapore the authorities need to impose a fine on vehicles parked in the city. Director General, National Council for Economic Development Rohantha Athukorala said to develop the economy a good road system has to be in place. A good road network is the basic need for business organisations to function smoothly. Our road network is outdated and is not at all conducive to develop the economy. This is also a drawback for the tourism sector. Therefore it is important that both the private and state sector cooperate to improve the existing road network, Athukorala said. Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said the government has proposed to build five flyovers in the city and subway at a cost of Rs. 3,000 million. With the flyovers we can maintain an efficient transport network and check the waste of fuel. Waste of fuel is an additional cost to the government. Ultimately it is the public who have to bear the brunt, the Minister said. Minister of Transport, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources A.H.M. Fowzie
said new business institutions should be set up outside Colombo. There
should be a shift from the Colombo mentality and people should concentrate
outside in line with the Mahinda Chintanaya to develop the rural sector. |
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