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Getambe flyover project awaits approval
Work on the proposed Getambe flyover in Kandy could begin following approval, an official said.
This is one of two flyovers to be built under a 52 million euro (Rs 11.78 billion at current rates) credit program by the Hungarian Government offered under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development arrangement on officially supported export credits.
The agreement was signed on October 31, 2019, following a proposal earlier by the former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera.
The loan also supports a flyover in Kohuwala.
A flyover in Getambe is expected to ease traffic congestion in Kandy. One cause of congestion has been identified as vehicle traffic at the Getambe end of the William Gopallawa Bridge. About 325,000 people enter Kandy daily.
Project director I.K. Baddegama said work should commence shortly and approval is awaited.
The Getambe roundabout falls under two police traffic divisions, Peradeniya and Kandy and this also had created tensions among road users, it is claimed.
The Forest Department has cleared the trees near the site.
Hungary will subsidise the interest payment, credit insurance premium and other charges on the credit offered, a statement by the Department of External Resources said at the time of the signing of the agreement. The department is a part of the Ministry of Finance.
An agreement to establish a framework credit programme for financial cooperation between the Governments of Hungary and Sri Lanka, was signed on December 22, 2017