President,’s Instructions issued to develop the Sacred City as an environmentally sensitive zone by reducing traffic congestion and establish an organised, green transport system for pilgrims
ANURADHAPURA : : President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed that the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan be reviewed, with new proposals incorporated, and that work on the project commence within this year.
Accordingly, the President further instructed the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department to ensure that the relevant plan is presented to the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Committee on the 8th of next month, without allowing the project to be unnecessarily delayed, and that the complete detailed plan for the project be finalised by the 15th.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued these instructions while participating in a discussion on the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat yesterday (29) afternoon.
Special attention was paid to improving facilities for devotees as well as enhancing green transport facilities within the Sacred City. The President highlighted the need to develop the Sacred City as an environmentally sensitive zone while reducing traffic congestion.
Accordingly, the President instructed that environmentally harmful diesel vehicles be restricted within the Sacred City and that an organised circular transport service using electric buses be introduced instead. He also instructed that the buses be brought under the Municipal Council and operated as a regular daily service. The President further emphasised the importance of establishing a convenient and well-organised transport system within the Sacred City for pilgrims visiting the Atamasthana, the eight sacred sites.
Discussions were also held on encouraging devotees to travel on foot and providing the facilities they require. The construction of separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists was discussed, as was the establishment of rest areas in a cool environment for devotees arriving by train and bus.
