President directs acceleration of Central Expressway construction

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Focuses on implementing multiple transport solutions to boost mobility
Reviews progress on Colombo Port Access Elevated Highway project
Explores plan to establish multimodal transport hubs in Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Moratuwa
Identifies underutilised Railway Department lands, explores strategies to optimise their use

President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday directed officials to expedite the construction of the Central Expressway, particularly the Mirigama-Kadawatha section of it.

He made these instructions at a high-level meeting convened yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials from the Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry as well as the Urban Development, Construction and Housing Ministry.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the Colombo Port Access Elevated Highway project, with deliberations on strategies to swiftly integrate its benefits into the national economy. Officials explored both short-term and long-term solutions to address associated challenges.

Recognising the growing traffic congestion in Colombo, the President stressed the importance of upgrading the railway system and standardising bus and road transportation service. As a first step, officials proposed a pilot project in the Colombo District, to test improvements before expanding them

countrywide.

Additionally, the meeting examined plans to establish multimodal transport hubs in Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala and Moratuwa, aimed at improving urban mobility and streamlining public transportation.

The meeting also included extensive discussions on identifying underutilised lands belonging to the Railway Department that do not contribute to the national economy and implementing proper management strategies to optimise their use.

The meeting was attended by Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry Bimal Rathnayake, Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilaka, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and other senior officials from the relevant Ministries.

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