President to open reconstructed Dahata Wanguwa road

Irangika RANGE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the reconstructed section of the Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya road consisting of the 18 hair pin bends popularly known as the Dahata Wanguwa Para on the Kandy- Padiyathalawa via Mahiyanganaya main road at a ceremony at Udu Dumbara tomorrow at 10.30 am.

Addressing a media briefing at the Ports and Highways Ministry in Colombo yesterday, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said the road stretch of 41 kms has been widened to 15 metres and carpeted from Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya at a cost of Rs. 5000 million.

The road has been renovated with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

Eight bridges and 320 box culverts have been reconstructed while 37 culverts were widened along the road. Meanwhile, the roadway has been widened to prevent road accidents and made suitable for local weather and geographical conditions.

This will help ease traffic congestion while reducing the dangerous nature of the road due to its narrowness and precipitous surrounding.

"We have constructed a safety fence covering unprotected areas while road markings and traffic signs have been marked and installed.

Meanwhile, several rest houses have been established along the road. The 18 hair-pin bends were widened on a special request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.