Rural road development:

NCP embarks on three-year plan

Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The North Central Province has identified 450 kilometers of highly dilapidated rural roads which need immediate renovation by the North Central Provincial Road Development Authority.

These roads are located within Horowpothana, Anuradhapura, Maradankadawala, Nochchiyagama, Minneriya and Manampitiya executive engineer divisions in the NCP.

PRDA General Manager Engineer Senarath Pushpakumara said the lack of funds was the main obstacle in the commencement of the rehabilitation venture. He said Rs 4,350 million has been estimated for the completion of the project.

“The PRDA (NCP) has submitted a three year (2011-2013) road development project to be implemented in the province. It is proposed to renovate 110 kilometres of rural roads at a cost of Rs 860 million. The funds are expected to be released by the North Central PC,” Pushpakumara said.

The General Manager said there were 2,000 rural roads (C and D grade) kilometers under the PRDA (NCP). In addition to the local funding the Asian Development Bank has been patronizing at large scale for the road rehabilitation sector in the province.

“During 2003-2007 period the ADB granted Rs 1,475 million for the rehabilitation of 190 kilometers of rural roads and construction of 10 bridges plus hundreds of culverts.”

“The ADB’s North Central Province road projects second phase is now in operation involving nearly 300 rural road kilometers for which the Bank allocates Rs 4,000 million.

However as a whole the ongoing road projects and the projects to be implemented soon would immensely benefit the rural folks in difficult distant hamlets in the region,” Pushpakumara said.