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BOT system for two elevated highways
View(s):The Government has dropped a plan to obtain a loan from a Japanese bank to construct an elevated highway in the suburbs of Colombo and instead is to go in for a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis project. Under the proposed plan, talks were underway with the Japan Mitsubishi Bank for the construction of a 10.4 km-long elevated highway between Rajagiriya and Athurugiriya and a 6.9km long elevated highway from Rajagiriya to Dematagoda, but was dropped due to the high cost, Road Development Authority (RDA) Chairman Nihal Suriyaarachchi said.
He said the BOT system was more beneficial as it would reduce the loan-repayment burden on the Government and it would not have to set targets to raise funds.
The project is to be completed within three and a half years after construction begins early next year. According to the plan, vehicles on this elevated highway could travel at 80 kmph and the travel time between Dematagoda to Athurugriya is expected to be 15 minutes.
As the next phase of the project another elevated highway will be constructed from Dematagoda to the Port with Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding. The project is to cost about 30 billion. After a 30-year period the ownership of the highway will be taken over by the Sri Lankan Government.