Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath B.Wickrema has disclosed that in accordance with the intention of the President to expand the Colombo City by having a modern City adjoining the Port, steps have been taken to fill 500 acres of sea territory adjoining the new Colombo Port Project for building a Modern, Planned City. Preliminary work relating to this city such as filling the sea territory and landscaping will be completed in 3 years time. There will be three access roads to this Modern City and one access road will be connected with the marine drive. The second would be constructed opposite the old parliament, and t he Light House entrance of the Colombo port would be upgraded as the third access road. The preliminary work on the planned city is to be completed in 3 years.
A project of this nature has become necessary due problems being faced in the Colombo City including environment pollution, blocking of the drainage systems, road traffic congestion, floods etc. The feasibility study and environmental impact assessment are being completed.
He said that the SLPA would conduct the project with the technical assistance and consultancy services provided by the University of Moratuwa and Lanka Hydraulic Institute. A rail track is to be developed around the new city and would be the major mode of transport in the city. Park and Drive concept will be introduced in the city so that anyone entering the city will park their vehicles at specified parking locations and take a train ride to go around the city.
The new city will have high rise housing complexes, multiplex office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, tourist sites, recreation facilities, banks and other service centres etc.
Filling of land for this project will be done by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority at an approximate cost of 250 Million U.S.Dollars. Upon the filling and the landscaping work is over local and international tenders will be called for implementing construction of infrastructure and other facilities.
Building this New Colombo City on Sea will be carried out in coordination with the Urban Development Authority, Colombo Municipal Council, All Service Ministries, and: the Archaelogical Department,. The Urban Development Authority will prepare schematic diagrams for the new City after completion of the filling work.(niz).
taken from :- http://www.development.lk/news.php?news=624
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