Vast strides in transport sector

Mohammed Naalir

The transport sector of Sri Lanka has been greatly developed during the past four years under the Mahinda Chinthana National Development Drive.

The development of every important sector has been mooted giving priority to infrastructure development.

In addition to the existing railway lines the Government plans to lay railway lines From Kurunegala to Dambulla, from Avissawella to Hambantota through Ratnapura and from Panadura to Horana shortly.

The Moratuwa University is conducting a comprehensive survey on the feasibility study of implementing these projects in the respective areas successfully. Following the historic victory against LTTE terrorism President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid utmost attention to winning development challenges.

Several development projects have been mooted in the country namely Gama Neguma (Village development drive, Maga Neguma (Rural road development drive), Uthuru Wasanthaya (180 days Northern development drive) and Neganahira Navodhaya (Eastern resurgence) to promote and foster the living standards of the community who live below the poverty line and the community which suffered untold hardships due to LTTE terrorism.

The Government under the leadership of President Rajapaksa is winning these development challenges.

All barricades for the development process have been removed successfully within a period of three years. Priority has been given to all regions including the North and the East in the development process.

Longest bridge

Under the Neganahira Navodhaya (Eastern Resurgence) Eastern Development drive massive infrastructure development projects have been implemented in the Eastern province such as fulfilling the long felt need of the construction of a bridge across the Kinniya Bay in Kinniya.

The construction of Sri Lanka’s longest bridge in Kinniya across the Kinniya bay will be the milestone of development of this region. The newly constructed bridge will be the gateway for transporting goods and other raw materials between Trincomalee and Kinniya.

As a move of assisting the tsunami affected community in Irakkandy area the Government reconstructed the Irakkandy bridge which was washed away by the tsunami.

The Government also constructed the Arugam Bay Bridge for the sake of the people in this area.

Traffic congestion that prevailed in the Colombo metropolitan area could be minimised by a considerable level after the erection of flyovers in places where severe traffic congestion was reported.

Accordingly the first flyover was constructed across the Colombo-Polgahawela railway line along the A-4 Colombo Kandy road at Thorana Junction. The second flyover was constructed at Nugegoda High Level Junction along the Colombo Maharagama highway and the third flyover was constructed at Hill junction Dehiwala along the Colombo Galle Highway.

Meanwhile the Government plans to construct a flyover at Sangupittiya along the A-32 Jaffna Mannar Highway.

The Government has imported 2200 buses from India to facilitate the transport sector of our country.

Meanwhile the Government has imported 100 locomotives from China for the Railway service. Another set of 15 power sets have been imported from China in addition to the carriages.

Newly imported power-sets have been deployed in service in place of old Samudradhevi and Mahawa train services. Due to this new service the public could save more than half an hour which was spent on the journey. As the Ampara tyre factory was renovated a huge quantity of money could be saved which was spent on importing tyres.

Meanwhile the coastal railway line will be renovated and strengthened with the assistance of India. With the renovation of the coastal railway lines additionally 15 power sets will be imported from India.

The Government is planning to construct two mechanical workshops to repair buses.

The Central Bus Stand has been renovated while the private bus stand located in Bastion Mawatha is being renovated.

The Transport Ministry has inaugurated a “Park and Ride Service” on the Galle Road as a pilot project. The business community can get maximum benefit of this service while minimising traffic congestion by a considerable level.

Fifty buses which were subjected to minor repairs has been sent to Jaffna peninsula.

Meanwhile another set of 10 buses which were subjected to major repair have also been sent to Jaffna peninsula.

Another set of 15 buses with major faults are being repaired and will be sent to the North by next Month. Accordingly 86 buses to Jaffna, 25 to Vavuniya and 14 to Mannar will be sent.