Series of programmes to expedite island's road network

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Government has launched a series of programmes with the intention of developing the island's road network and has almost doubled the allocations in comparison with the last year's Rs.14 billion, to improve this vital component of economic infrastructure. The Road Development Authority (RDA) is responsible for the development of national road network.

"Transport network comprises highways, bus routes, railways, shipping networks and air transportation.In Sri Lanka transport sector contributes about 8% to the GDP. In a country like Sri Lanka with our social, economical and geographical background, the road structure becomes the most important component supporting transportation having direct linkages to economic and social development", Road Development Authority Chairman M.B.S. Fernando said.

In the first six months of 2006, the RDA has spent Rs.10 billion on road development. Presently the RDA is involved in constructing a number of roads in the conflict areas under the "Jathika Saviya" accelerated development programme in accordance with a directive from the President.

The Government has allocated Rs.200 million to improve these roads namely Padaviya-Kebithigollewa, Padaviya-Parakramapura, Padaviya-Pulmude, Vavuniya-Horowpothana and Ratmalgama-Horowpothana.

The rebuilding of these roads totalling up to 130 KM has already begun and is expected to be completed in two months, RDA sources said.

The Arugambe bridge which was destroyed some time back is to be replaced with a new one with a US funded project which would cost Rs.1,000 million. Also the bridges at Akurala, Seenigama, Magalla, Goiyapana and Weligama destroyed by tsunami are nearing completion and is expected to be completed before December.

According to RDA Chairman an MOU has been signed with a Malaysian company to resume work in the Colombo-Kandy expressway and the Southern expressway has completed 60% of its work. With regards to the accelerated Colombo-Katunayake expressway the Chinese company has been advised to get the whole expenditure as a loan from China.

The "Maga Neguma" programme which commenced in 2004 with the objective of developing feeder roads in the rural areas is to take a new turn with the introduction of the low maintenance concrete roads. The RDA hopes to build these roads with concrete blocks and the production of these blocks is to be entrusted to the villagers in the relevant areas giving them a much needed economic boost.

According to the RDA chairman the President has given strict orders to implement the development of roads as a priority agenda. The RDA is to come up with novel ideas to put a stop to lack of regular maintenance, excessive delays in implementing planned projects, rehabilitation and insufficient funds, to make the road structure a catalyst to social and economic development in the country.