Nice Picture on 18 bends road

සංවර්ධනය කළ 18 වංගුව පාර විවෘත වේ..... නවීන මහා මාර්ගයක්‌ ලෙස පුළුල් කර සංවර්ධනය කරන ලද මහනුවර හා මහියංගනය නගර යා කෙරෙන 18 වංගුව මාර්ගය ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්‍ෂ මහතා විසින් විවෘත කළ අයුරු හා එම නව මාර්ගය ඡායාරූපයේ දැක්‌වේ. ඡායාරූපය- සුදත් සිල්වා



http://www.divaina.com/

*Reduces travel time for people

*Equal distribution of facilities to all areas

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Ududumbara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday noted that an improved road network has reduced travel time between areas, supplemented development and established closer links between people. “The government’s emphasis on developing roads has ensured that people spend less time for travel and have more time for work. I feel like the country has become smaller due to improved roads” the President added.

The President was addressing a large crowd in Ududumbara, after declaring open the renovated, ancient 18 Bend(Dahata Wanguwa) road on Kandy – Mahiyangana road. The renovation work cost of Rs.5,000 million.

The President before opening the road drove his vehicle the entire length of the Dahata Wanguwa. Speaking of his experience he told the crowd that such experiences for him were a rare occurrence and added that he had done it after he drove a car during the opening of the Southern highway.

President Rajapaksa also said the government while building better roads for vehicular traffic was also conscious of the safety of the pedestrian and added that to ensure the above he had instructed officials to include separate lanes for pedestrians when planning and development of major roads in the future.

Speaking on the Kandy-Mahiyangana road, he said the development of this historic road was neglected by successive governments. “They neglected the development of rural areas in the same manner,” he added.

He emphasised that the present government never neglects development and activities are being carried out with equal focus in all areas. “Our aim is the equal distribution of facilities to all areas, “ he added

He also observed that these development activities have helped the country to become self sufficient in rice and they plan to extend this to liquid milk production as well. “We are planning to provide every child in the country a free glass of milk in the future,” he added.

He also emphasized on the need to become self sufficient in other food production by imcreasing production.

The President also emphasised the need to accelerate development to achieve equal distribution of resources and facilities to all areas at the earliest possible time.

However on the same note he said the government was not prepared to subjugate religion, good moral habits, traditions and customs of the country and nature in the name of development.

He also requested the people to look after these newly built roads and not to misuse them.

The re-construction work of the road was carried out at an estimated cost of five billion rupees granted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The 41 KM long road was widened to 15 metres and carpeted from Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya.

The entire stretch of road includes 10 bridges and 320 box culverts with 37 widened culverts.

Renovation work on the 18 bend road which commenced in April 2008 completed construction in less than four years providing motorists a safer and a comfortable journey reducing travel time from four to 1 ½ hours.

Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotalawela, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, MPs Lohan Ratwatte, Earl Gunasekera, Shantha Bandara, ADB Country Director Rita O Sullivan, government officials and a large gathering.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/05/07/news01.asp

wonder spending 5 billion for expands a highway like Kandy – Mahiyangana road is the most important thing in a struggling economy .

I dont mind if they spent this money widening the Colombo-Kandy A1 road.

It is the duty of any government to build the infrastructure. They have done just that. Business enterprise will require private sector involvement. Without proper road there will be no development at all.

Time is Money and the benefits of significant reduction in travel time between two points should be reflected immediately in the Goods & Services sectors but sadly this is not the case of opening the Southern Express way.

To me, this is another (one of so many) wasted 5 Billion (if this is really 5 Billion) project just launched for Legacy creation only.

Having access / roads is very very important for any country for economic as well as security reasons. It is not a waste.
What matters is maintaining these carpeted roads so that a 1 inch hole is fixed it before it becomes a 1 foot hole. I have seen newly carpeted roads just getting destroyed after a few months because the edges are not fixed right or some other reason. But that's Sri Lankan style.

aj wrote:Having access / roads is very very important for any country for economic as well as security reasons. It is not a waste.
What matters is maintaining these carpeted roads so that a 1 inch hole is fixed it before it becomes a 1 foot hole. I have seen newly carpeted roads just getting destroyed after a few months because the edges are not fixed right or some other reason. But that's Sri Lankan style.

Good points overall.

But the question is which major road needs attention first . I am sure there should be a priority list. UK boy has a point also.

slstock wrote:But the question is which major road needs attention first . I am sure there should be a priority list.

Galle Road, being the Most Patronized Road in Sri Lanka.

slstock wrote:

aj wrote:Having access / roads is very very important for any country for economic as well as security reasons. It is not a waste.
What matters is maintaining these carpeted roads so that a 1 inch hole is fixed it before it becomes a 1 foot hole. I have seen newly carpeted roads just getting destroyed after a few months because the edges are not fixed right or some other reason. But that's Sri Lankan style.

Good points overall.

But the question is which major road needs attention first . I am sure there should be a priority list. UK boy has a point also.

Another point to remember is government knows where most of their voters live.