Megapolis moves on feasibility study on Light Rail Transit despite protests

By Uditha Jayasinghe

Cabinet has given the green light for the Megapolis authority to go ahead with a feasibility study for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, which is estimated to cost $3 billion, despite local transport experts supporting a much cheaper Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.  

Under a proposal made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranwaka, the Government will go ahead to obtain the assistance of Japan development arm JICA to conduct a feasibility report. 

Once the report is submitted the ministry would “immediately commence the construction” of a LRT route on Colombo Fort – Kollupitiya – Bambalapitiya – Union Place-Maradana and the Borella – Malabe route. 

The Cabinet paper was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers despite vehement objections previously made known to the Megapolis Authority by several transport experts who insist a BRT system would be a cost-effective and fast way to reduce congestion on Colombo’s streets. Moreover JICA has already completed a feasibility study on a BRT system for Colombo years ago.  The proposal to use LRT disregarding years of previous work done, “appears ad hoc and poorly thought out,” said Moratuwa University  Department of Transport and Logistics Management Senior Professor Amal Kumarage during a discussion organised by think tank Verite Research in April. 

Multi-billion dollar projects are being approved and requests for proposals are to be called even before proper feasibility studies have been completed, he said. The apparent preference for “supplier-driven” projects by the Government “is worrying,” Kumarage said. 

The Megapolis plan is giving preference to expensive transport systems like Light Rail Transit (LRT), a rail-based urban public transport system common in modern cities which is similar to tramways but experts argue Government officials have not given due consideration to BRT.

Cabinet also gave approval for a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration for Western Region Megapolis Development Activities with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of the Republic of Korea. “The key strategy for acceleration of the economic development of the country is the Western Region Megapolis and international specialised cooperation is required for its many projects,” the Cabinet paper said.

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Korea will sign the MoU to prepare a formal framework for cooperation, facilitating efforts with mutual benefit and  implementation of certain fields of the Western Megapolis Development Project through detailed planning, the Cabinet paper added.