Rs. 50 billion for road development

Chaminda PERERA

COLOMBO:The Government has decided to channel all ADB funds for the development of roads that come under the purview of Provincial councils, said Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene.

He said the Government has utilised Rs. 24,803 million out of Rs. 50,450 million allocated for road development activities for 2008.

There are complaints that roads coming under provincial councils have not seen development for number of years.

The President has ordered the Treasury to grant funds provided by the ADB to Provincial Councils for roads development. The roads coming under the purview of Pradeshiya Sabhas and Central Government are well maintained but roads under PCs are not developed for want of money in the respective provincial councils, he said.

This situation will soon be averted with the allocation of ADB funds. The Government's allocation for road development for 2008 is Rs.50.7 billion which is a 50 per cent increase as against the allocation in 2006.

The countrywide road development drive includes widening of roads, construction of bridges, flyovers, ring roads, and super highways. Most highway projects and large scale bridge constructions are funded by donor countries. The Government only spends for land acquisitions, he said.

Several flyover projects to ease traffic congestion at the Nugegoda, Dehiwala and Kohuwala junctions are in the offing. More than 45 per cent of construction work on the Orugodawatte and Pannipitiya flyovers has been completed.

The Government has also allocated Rs.3,500 million for the maintenance of developed roads which is an increase of Rs. 2,500 million as against the allocation in 2004. We have been able to complete several high way projects such as Katukurunda - Matara project, Peliyagoda-Puttalam Road and Ratnapura-Balangoda-Bandarawela roads, the Minister said.

"We have implemented a massive road development drive in the Eastern province under the Neganahira Navodaya. This project will help revive the development in the Eastern province which had been under the clutches of terrorists."