Southern Highway to be completed by April 2011

Priyanka KURUGALA

Highways Deputy Minister Mervin Silva said the Government will be completing the Southern Highway in April 2011. The construction of this Highway will pave the way for the country's development, he said.

Speaking to the press at the Kottawa highway site he said, the total length of the outer Circular Highway to the city of Colombo is 29.1 kms.

The total investment this project will be around Rs 97 billion.

He further said, that withing 20 minutes one will be able to reach Kottawa from Katunayake. and within two hours to Kandy from Kottawa after constructing the outer Circular Highway.

Highways Ministry Secretary Wasantha Karannagoda said, the Government spends US$ 600 million for a year to develop the road network in the country,. The total distance of the highway system of the country is 280 km. The estimated cost for its development is around Rs 280 billion.

The Government will invest on road development in a manner so as to get back to take all the money it has invested on highway through the tourism industry. Because of proper highways, 70 percent of time will be saved while saving energy by up to 30-40 percent.

Maintenances cost will be reduced by as much as withing 50 percent, he said.

The Ministry plans to complete all the highways project gradually.

Part of the Southern highway project which is from Kottawa to Dodanduwa will be completed by April 2011. The distance of the highway is 34.4 kms. It will cost at Rs. 20 billion which is funded by JICA. The highway project form Dodanduwa to Kurundugahahetema will be completed by June 2011. It will cost Rs15 billion with JICA funds.

Kurundugahahetemma to Pinnaduwa project will be completed on December this year. The project will cost Rs 24 billion The project will be funded by ADB.

The highway project from Pinnaduwa to Matara will be funded by Exim Bank of China. The length of this highway is 35.8km.

All these highways have been constructed with four lanes.