When building flyovers:

'Give priority to people's needs'

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the Highways Ministry officials to provide facilities to the public, particularly school children to cross the High Level Road at Nugegoda flyover.

Officials of the Highways Ministry at a progress review meeting held at the Temple Trees yesterday pointed out that heavy traffic congestion still persist at Nugegoda even after the construction of flyover as the school students used to cross the road in an ad hoc manner obstructing the smooth flow of vehicular traffic.

The President who chaired the progress review meeting said that an overhead bridge should be constructed near the Nugegoda flyover for the schoolchildren's benefit in nearby schools.

He added that the Highways Ministry should take the people's needs into account rather than those of politicians when flyovers are built. He said the proposed flyover at Yangalmodara where a number of train-bus accidents were reported should be constructed giving priority to the requirements of the people.

President Rajapaksa stressed the need of having a mechanism by which the road network can be maintained effectively. He was of the opinion that the RDA should make use of its labour force numbering over 6,000 to maintain the road network effectively.

He sought a report from the Highways Ministry on how the highways are being maintained by the RDA and a mechanism proposed by the Ministry for the maintenance of the road network.

The President discussed the progress of Colombo-Matara Expressway, Colombo-Kandy express way and Colombo-Katunayake expressway constructions.

The construction of the Colombo outer circular road was also discussed by the President and Ministry officials.

He said the country's security should also be given priority when the proposed highway from Pulmudai to Iyakatchchi is constructed. An RDA official pointed out that this proposed highway is planned to be constructed along the boundary of the Chundikulam Sanctuary. It was disclosed at this meeting the Highways Ministry has succeeded in developing more than 4,000 out of 12,000 Km of national road network. The country's road network consists of 11,922 Km of national roads, 16,532 Km of provincial roads and 88,428 Km of PS roads.

The Asian Development Bank has provided Rs. 87 billion for the road maintenance in 2009.

The ADB has also provided Rs. 29.6 billion for the road maintenance till April this year.

Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa also spoke. Highways Deputy Ministers Nirmala Kotalawala, Dr. Mervyn Silva, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Ministry Secretary Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda were also present.