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Kandy to go underground to avoid traffic congestion: Minister Kiriella
View(s):Underground tunnels will be built in Kandy to avoid traffic congestion, especially opposite the Dalada Maligawa, said newly appointed University Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella. During his visit to Kandy yesterday, after taking oaths to his current position, the minister pledged at the Malwathu Maha Viharaya that he will develop all roads in the Central Province and other parts of the country.
Minister Kiriella explained that, due to the closure of a road in front of the Dalada Maligawa, people face many hardships. He said a kilometre-long underground tunnel starting from the road in front of the Kandy Municipal Council, through Udawatta Kele Sanctuary to Buwelikada, will be constructed as a substitute road. This tunnel will connect with the Lewella Road.
Another tunnel will also be built from Getambe to Thennekumbura.
The minister added that discussions are under way to award these tunnel projects to a Korean Company. He announced that the work on the Kandy-Colombo expressway will be concluded soon. “Previously, people spent three to four hours to journey between Colombo and Kandy, but with the expressway, this journey will take only one hour,” he said.