Southern highway will boost economy

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Highways had been a totally new approach to Sri Lanka until construction work on the Southern highway commenced fulfilling a long-felt need of the country. The 128 Kilometre long new highway will improve access from Colombo to the Southern part of the country paving the way for economic development and considerable GDP growth.

On the other hand completion of the Southern highway will reduce drive time to one and half hours from the current four hours travel time between Colombo and Matara. The project consists of three sections namely Kottawa to Dodangoda, Dodangoda to Kurundugahahetekma and Kurundugahahetekma to Pinnaduwa.

The first section, which is 67 Kilometres long, funded by Japan Business Corporation (JABIC) is in progress handled by the China Harbour Engineering Company. The second section is also funded by the JABIC while the third section with access to Galle Fort is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The construction by Kumagi Gumi of Japan is in progress. The construction work of the ADB division or the third section, Kurundugahahetekma to Pinnaduwa (Galle) is nearing completion. Up to 86.44 percent of the ADB section has been completed, the team leader of the project Inderjeet Singh Gill told the Daily News when we visited his office to ascertain the progress of the Southern highway project.

The construction of the ADB division is expected to be completed by June next year, Gill said. As planned the construction will most probably be completed by June, next year, he added.

The stretch is 22 kilometres long and consists of four lanes. All the main construction work of the project has already been completed such as constructing bridges, tunnels, and earth filling. Only the carpeting, fencing and other work remains to be done. In other words, only 13.66 percent is left to be completed, Gill added.

Three interchanging points have been designed at Kurudugahahetekma, Baddegama and Pinnaduwa where vehicles can enter the highway and vice versa. Additionally passengers can get in or get down at these interchanging points where access roads are available.

No one is allowed to cross over the highway, as underpasses are available for the use of residents and passers-by. The villagers can use these metal structured under passes instead of crossing over the highway.

These underpasses are large enough for driving motor vehicles and it is also a new trend to Sri Lanka. Therefore the villagers need not walk over the highway if they want to cross the road. It is really important when considering the road safety of the motorists and civilians, Gill pointed out.

The highway is divided into two by a wire rope which can be easily removed in an emergency. In case of emergency vehicles may have to be diverted to the opposite lane where hospitals or other facilities are available.

The wire rope at the centre has been so designed as to permit removal to allow the vehicles to be diverted to the opposite lanes. Additionally guardrails are attached to both ends of the highway to protect vehicles bouncing off the highway.

Meanwhile moves are under way by the Government to commence construction work on the last stretch of the Southern Highway linking Pinnaduwa to Matara costing US $ 160 million. The project is funded by the Chinese Government.

The Southern highway will have a major impact on the development of the disadvantaged Southern region of the country with a high level of poverty. With the completion of the construction work, the proportion of the population below poverty line in the Southern region will be reduced. It is also estimated that Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the Southern Province will increase at least by 10 percent in the near future, sources related to the Central Bank said.