Army launches Operation Kandy city development
View(s):Sri Lanka Army will soon kick start the historic Kandy city development project and city beautification by refurbishing dilapidated structures and improving infrastructure facilities, officials said.
Modern city planning and development will transform the entire city of Kandy into a major tourist attraction under the World Bank funded strategic city development project.
The World Bank has approved a credit of US $147 million to help rehabilitate basic urban services and improve livability in the city and implement a road network improvement plan aimed at easing traffic congestion in and around Kandy.
This project includes urban services improvements and public urban spaces enhancements; and institutional strengthening and capacity building, a senior official of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) said.
Roads are to be improved from Peradeniya to Katugastota with four lanes while overhead bridges, tunnels and construction of a walkway around Kandy Lake will also be built.
A pedestrian walkway from Kandy Railway Station area to the Clock Tower Bus Stand area, improvements to the Clock Tower Bus Stand, relocation of trade stalls along the station road to effect the road improvement are the other components of the project.
Vehicle parks will be built at two places located near the entry point to the city. It will enable the motorists to park their vehicles and travel in luxury buses to reach their destinations, he added.
Estimated cost for these construction activities is Rs. 29 billion, the UDA official said adding that a mega marketing complex will also be constructed at a cost of Rs.200 million at S.W.R.D. Bandaranayke Mawatha.
Three major roads in the Kandy District would be developed under this project. They are Getambe Katugastota route via Gohagoda, Katugastota- Medawela Road, and Dharmashoka Mawatha. Lands were being acquired for the road development projects, he said adding that they would be demarcated, valued and their owners would be paid with compensation.
The Army will contribute labour and skills in their numbers under the direction of UDA professionals to systematically refurbish the city’s dilapidated structures, preserving its ancient heritage and architecture.
‘Ehelepola Walawwa’. the mansion been used as Bogambara High Security Prison for nearly 195 years, will be refurbished with the aim of converting it into a shopping and entertainment arcade at a cost of Rs. 300 million, he revealed.
Responding to a recent research carried out by university students, many people in the city welcomed this initiative and responded very positively. But they noted that the government will have to find ways and means to alleviate the problems of the citizens spending more resources from state coffers although the World Bank brings millions of dollars for the city development project.