The success of the government’s debt restructuring program will enable the Ministry of Transport and Highways to restart many projects that were halted during the last crisis, Secretary to the Ministry Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe said.
Addressing a press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre on Monday (July 08), several officials from the public transportation sector gave details on the projects to be implemented in the near future.
- Public Transport:
Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe announced that an electronic ticketing system for public transport services, including trains, will be introduced by the end of this year.
He further said the highway toll payment system will also be electronic within a few months.
Preliminary discussions have been held with the Government of Japan regarding investment updates for the Light Railway Project (LRT).
Simultaneously, negotiations are ongoing with the governments of China, India, and Japan for several new projects.
As a result, plans have been implemented to grow the transport and highway sector by 10%-15% over the next five years.
- Highway projects:
Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe said despite the economic crisis the country has faced, the government has allocated Rs.90 billion over the past two years solely for road development projects initiated before 2022. Of this amount, Rs.300 billion has been spent on contractors, and Rs.90 billion has been used for debt payments.
It is important to note that the success of the government’s debt restructuring program has been particularly satisfactory for the Ministry of Highways. This success will enable the restart of many projects halted during the last crisis.
Especially, discussions have already begun for the early commencement of Phase 1 of the Central Expressway. Additionally, Phases 2 and 3 of the Central Expressway and the Ruwanpura Expressway project are expected to begin soon, with bilateral discussions underway regarding the completion of the elevated highways project in Athurugiriya, through financial investments. Public-private partnership investments are anticipated for these projects.
- Flyover constructions :
Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA), S.P.M. Suriya Bandara said the construction of the second phase of the flyover over the railway line connecting Kompannavidiya, Justice Akbar Mawatha, and Uttarananda Mawatha will be completed and handed over to the public next week.
Additionally, the Kohuwala flyover is scheduled to be opened to the public next week. The work on the harbour entrance runway is also expected to be completed in the first half of September.
Thousands of projects are being implemented across the country under the Road Development Authority. Among these, 320 km of rural roads have been completed under the 1,000 km of rural roads project, which began last February, with the remaining roads set to be completed in August.
- Railway development :
General Manager (Acting), Railways, Sanjaya Mudalige states the modernization of the Mahawa-Omanthai railway line will be completed in August, and the freight train service from Beliatta to Colombo will commence on the 15. This service will be available to farmers, businessmen, and others transporting goods to Colombo.
Plans are also underway to develop railway stations along the coastal line as multipurpose projects in collaboration with the private sector. Six railway stations, including Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya, are currently being developed accordingly.
To meet the demand for train engines, the Government of India has agreed to donate 20 train engines, with the first batch expected to arrive within two months.
- National Transport Commission :
National Transport Commission Chairman, Shashi Welgama says under the National Transport Commission Act, we can currently regulate only buses. However, the Act has been amended to include the regulation of three-wheelers, school and office transport services, taxis, and more.
The NTC is also preparing and implementing schedules for inter-provincial buses.
The public can contact the customer care unit at 0712555555 and 1955 for assistance. This service allows passengers to file complaints and obtain information related to passenger transportation services. (Newswire)