Gampaha far ahead in road development

Chaminda PERERA

The Gampaha district is far ahead of other districts in the Western Province in terms of road development due to the various projects implemented in the district under Maga Neguma.

Over 1,600 road development projects at a cost of Rs. 619 million were implemented in the district under Maga Neguma program last year as most roads had not been properly maintained for a number of years.

This is the first time a fund of this magnitude was set apart for a district in the WP for road development under the Maga Neguma. A stretch of 90 kilometres of roads has been either laid carpet or concreted in the district which has a population of 2,125,000.

The livelihood development and moral development projects being implemented by the respective Divisional Secretariats in coordination with Jana Sabhas secured the second highest priority in the district last year.

These projects enabled the rural community to improve their livelihood and quality of life. Various programs were launched by the Samurdhi officers to instill the sense of moral values among the youth in the district in accordance with Mahinda Chinthana policy framework to ensure overall development of the person.

According to Nation Building Ministry statistical data, over 200,600 people have benefited from 1807 projects launched by the Government covering the power and energy, irrigation, social sports development fields.

All these projects have attracted massive public participation. Over 80% of the population in the district are living away from the urban areas where most of Gama Niladhari Divisions are under developed.

The Government allocated Rs. 37 million for the reconstruction of small scale irrigation schemes and canals with view of continuing the paddy farming uninterrupted.