News
Maha Oya new bridge poses dangers to life and limb
The risk of death to pedestrians including children and dangers of road traffic accidents are ever present at the new, 103 metre, dual-carriageway, Kochchikade Maha Oya steel bridge on the Peliyagoda-Puttlam road in the Gampaha District, residents say.
The bridge was declared open by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge, but many pedestrian safety, bus commuter problems and drainage issues had not been considered.
Substantial complaints by residents such as lack of traffic lights, bus stops at either end, have not been investigated.
The bridge was declared open by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge, but many pedestrian safety, bus commuter problems, road traffic, and drainage issues had not been considered, nor resolved after they emerged, residents complain. The contract was awarded in 2013 under the Ministry of Highways.
The new link replaced a narrow, two-lane bridge, and was built with Austrian financial aid by Bilfinger MCE GmbH of Austria, which was a client of Access Engineering.
“We thought the new bridge would solve our problems of travelling safely and quickly, instead, it has turned into ‘the jaws of death’ creating problems we had never faced before,’’ complains a resident and businessman.
He said people made personal sacrifices such as giving up lands to build the link spanning the Maha Oya.
Another resident said: “I too gave my land and even had to abandon my ancestral home to build the bridge. It is true we were given compensation. We thought it would do some good to the public. But now it poses dangers to the people.’’
Another resident, Benedict Fernandopulle, a retired teacher of English from Udangawa, Kochchikade, relates the risks.
He said a petition was signed by 500 people.
One petition was handed over to the SSP at Negombo. “But still no positive steps have been taken.’’
“We are indeed grateful to the Sri Lankan Government and the Austrian Government for giving us such a beautiful four-way new bridge at a cost of about Rs 600 million, but the authorities should have paid attention to other problems, too. Now there is no pedestrian crossing. People risk their lives when trying to cross the road as vehicles are coming at great speed across the new bridge.
“Another problem is when we come from the Negombo side, there is no bus stop. Some buses never stop and they drop us at the bus stop on the other side. So people have to walk a long distance. The most dangerous thing is when mothers and school children have to cross the road.
Sometimes they are seen running here and there as in a race to cross the road. They are deprived of their basic rights to have a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing for their safety.
“Also there should be a pavement on the left side of the new bridge towards Negombo for people to avoid being knocked down by the fast moving vehicles coming from the rear.’’
He also said that in the petition they asked for installing traffic lights at both ends of the new bridge. There was no outcome.
A copy of the petition that had been handed over to the then-SSP Negombo Chandana Athukorala on January 31, was again presented to the incumbent SSP Negombo. He said: “I am not aware of such a petition, but I will try to have a discussion with those responsible for this and take the necessary steps to remedy these problems.’’
The petition by residents of the surrounding villages asks the authorities to erect bus stops, especially one at the foot of the new bridge for those who come from Kochchikade side, a pedestrian crossing, a pavement to reach the bus stop take a bus towards Negombo, evict the pavement hawkers doing business on either side of the Kochchikade main road, and to relocate three wheelers.
A policeman at Kochchikade Police Station said he agrees with the people that traffic accidents are likely because there is no traffic light.
People’s complaints are credible.
Recently, villager, Michael Sirimanne of Muruthana, a father of two, who was riding his motorbike with his daughter, was knocked down by a speeding tipper truck that fled.
Now he can not walk on his own and confined to bed. Fortunately, his daughter was not injured.
Another problem is the road is water logged on rainy days. Though the new bridge has been constructed with culverts, during rains the water does not drain into the river which is just a few yards away.