President orders fly-over at Rajagiriya

President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed Highways Ministry officials to erect a fly-over to ease traffic congestion at Rajagiriya junction during the progress review meeting of the Highways Ministry and Road Development Authority at Temple Trees yesterday.

President Rajapaksa stressed that the Public is inconvenienced due to some projects abandoned in midstream and instructed the officials to have them reactivated.

Rs. 36.9 billion and Rs. 44.8 billion were provided in the 2006 and 2007 budgets for road development. Express way projects are progres at present. Over 30 per cent of progress has been achieved in the Southern Expressway.

In addition, the Colombo Circular Expressway, Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Colombo-Kandy Expressway are under construction. The total to be increased for these projects are in the region of Rs. 6219 million, it is estimated.

There are 4,213 bridges under the Road Development Ministry and organisations under it; In addition there are 4,219 A grade and 7684 B grade roads. Of these roads, 3,219 kilometres have been completely renovated. President Rajapaksa said the officials should be prepared to give effect to new concepts and accept challenges during the implementation of development projects.

He drew the attention on the need to concrete roads under the purview of the Road Development Ministry. "A large amount of funds could be saved due to the long durability of concreted roads and less maintenance costs," the President pointed out.

"Concrete roads are much more suitable in view of Sri Lanka's climate conditions," he added.

President Rajapaksa drew the attention to put up luxury houses for those who are dehoused due to road projects being undertaken and reiterated on the need to minimise the damage caused to the public.

Acting Road Development Minister, T.B. Ekanayake, Deputy Minister W.B. Ekanayake, Presidential Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga, Finance Ministry Secretary, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and the Road Development Ministry officials participated.