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Govt. to change route of Central Expressway project due to mountainous terrain
View(s):By Damith Wickremasekara
The Government has decided to alter its plans on the proposed Central Expressway project by changing the route due to the difficult terrain and issues over the tender, Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella told the Sunday Times.
The proposed expressway that was to be diverted from Pothuhera to Galagedara via Rambukkana will now pass through Kurunegala to Galagedara avoiding the Rambukkana area.
One of the main reasons for the change was that the route through the Rambukkana area would have to pass through mountainous terrain and will have more tunnels and extra bends, he said.
He said that the Kurunegala – Galagedera route would be more safer and land acquisition will be easier. Mr Kiriella said the target to complete the project is 2019 and therefore they needed to expedite the project. Construction is due to commence later this year.
He said the tender for the original plan through the Rambukkana area had to be cancelled and a fresh tender had been called, but will be changed again.
The Expressway project from Galagedara to Kandy has been undertaken by an Indian company. The same company has expressed willingness to undertake the Kurunegala – Galagedara section.