A final series of discussions on the initiation of transport-focused on Athurugiriya and Kaduwela town development projects were held at the Kaduwela Municipal Council Auditorium at the invitation of the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and the Chairman of the Kaduwela Regional Development Committee, Member of Parliament, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda which was presided over by Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
Following which, Minister Gunawardhana pointed out that as the Minister in charge of Transport and Highways, an opportunity has come up to restart the infrastructural development works which have been stalled for about three years now, so the importance of carrying out these development works by getting provision facilities from the available sectors and giving priority to the places where rapid development is essential, will recommence.
In addition, the Minister emphasized on the importance of preparing a short-term plan that can be implemented quickly and then another programme that can be implemented in the long-term to reduce the massive traffic congestion in Athurugiriya and Kaduwela areas as well as the importance of preparing the basic activities necessary to implement the plans as the provisions arrive after the government’s debt restructuring programmes become successful.
As a measure to reduce road and traffic congestion in the Athurugiriya area, the existing bus station will be relocated to an empty land reserved for common facilities around the Millennium City housing complex, considering the demands of the people, to the places identified for widening the roads.
The Minister also instructed the officials to take steps to start the projects as soon as possible after completing the basic work including compensation payments for the land locations identified. Also attention was paid to taking an alternative measure to avoid the obstacles in traffic management due to the existing clock tower in the middle of the intersections of the city.
The representatives of Kaduwela – Athurigiriya Trade Associations also conveyed their appreciation to the Minister and other officials for properly identifying the needs of the people and providing the right guidance for the development of the area, and the business community and the local residents who provide the maximum support for any development work that is being carried out.
Kaduwela Divisional Secretary Sampath Idamgodage, Municipal Commissioner Dilrukshi Gamage, officials of the Urban Development Authority, Road Development Authority, Kaduwela Municipal Council, Road Passenger Transport Authority, Trade Association and many other public and private institutions were present for this event.
