Govt. allocates Rs. 900 million for road network

by Anura Maitipe

The government has allocated Rs. 900 million to implement the national plan for the integration of the road network, under 'Maganeguma' program launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, spokesman for the Highways Ministry told the "Sunday Observer".

Under this project, main urban and rural roads and highways will be brought under the national road network.Over 72 proposed road projects abandoned by the UNF government, including the Colombo - Katunayake Express Highway and the half-completed built parallel road to the Galle Road would also be implemented soon, he said.

The road network in the North and East which has been devastated by the war and the tsunami will also be reconstructed shortly. In these two provinces over 50 bridges were damaged. The reconstruction of these bridges which would cost Rs. 400 million, has already commenced, he said.

In addition, another Rs. 300 million has been allocated to reconstruct rural roads under the Pradeshiya Sabha, Urban Councils and Provincial Councils. The Ministry of Highways has instructed all these institutions to use tar and cement in road construction work instead of gravel and soil, he further added.