Construction of Katugastota new bridge inaugurated
 

by L.B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said at the ceremonial inauguration of the construction work on the new bridge over the river Mahaweli at Katugastota that, at a time like today when they had to do lots of work for the development of the country, there was no time to waste for talking. All those who loved the country should work for the betterment of the country with devotion and dedication, he said.

The new bridge would cost Rs. 405 million and it will replace the existing 115 year-old steel bridge built during the Colonial era. The new bridge has been a long felt need as the old one is a narrow bridge which has been the main cause for the huge traffic congestion along the Kandy-Katugastota road which lasts for hours daily.

The new bridge will be 120 metres long and 14 metres wide and consists 4 road tracks. 70 per cent of the total cost of Rs. 405 million will be provided by the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development and the balance 30 per cent to be borne out by the Sri Lanka government.

It is expected to complete the work within 3 years.

Prime Minister Rajapakse said that under the project it would be necessary to evaquate 19 shops and boutiques in Katugastota town, and those shop owners would be given alternative accommodation. President of Katugastota Traders Association D. Nanayakkara had pledged the fullest support to make the project a success.

He added that although it had been said that it would take three years to complete the work, the government would see that it would be completed in 2 years. This government had kept more confidence on the work than on foundation stone laying. What they were for, was to make development works the reality.

Central Provincial Governor Monti Gopallawa, JHU MP Ven. Udawatte Nanda Thera, Mayor of Kandy Kesara Senanayake and Central Provincial Minister of Power and Energy, Co-operatives and Highways Ediriweera Weerawardhana also participated.