ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO- The Marine Drive from Kollupitiya to Dehiwela will be further extend to Panadura, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said here on Sunday, August 29.
In a statement to the press, the minister said that the report of a feasibility study on the project has been completed and the government will go ahead with its plan to extend the Drive upto Panadura to ease the traffic congestion on the Galle Road.
Accordingly, the construction work on the 17 km road from Dehiwala to Panadura will begin soon. The proposed project costs Rs. 38 billion. A vote of Rs. 21 billion has been allocated for the payment of compensation for the owners of buildings whose properties that will be demolished during the implementation of the project.
The Marine Drive project was carried out in six stages such as
from Ramakrishna Road to Melbourne Avenue, from Melbourne Avenue to Glenaber Place, Glenaber Place to Kollupitiya Railway Station, Railway Station to Ranmuthu Hotel from Ramakrishna Road to Frazer Avenue, Kollupitiya and Frazer Avenue to Dehiwala Railway Station
Its a great news. Hope it would be implemented at a faster pace and safety barrier to the railway track. Furthermore upgrading the existing Galle Road and the pavement all in line with the CMC section.