Minister Gunawardena reveals plan for Monorail in Colombo

June, 9, 2014

While AdaderanaBiz had recently revealed government plans to establish a Monorail service to ease the traffic congestion in Colombo, Chief Government Whip of Parliament and Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardena expressed views over this in parliament.

While responding to a statement in parliament by United National Party (UNP) member P. Harrison on 06 June that though express highways have been constructed Colombo still cannot be reached quickly due to traffic congestion, Minister Gunawardena said the government has completed the initial discussions to introduce a Monorail service to Colombo.

Accordingly, a proposal has been made to set up a Monorail track from Moratuwa to Thalangama, said Minister Gunawardena.

In its annual report for 2013, the Sri Lanka Central Bank had pointed out it is timely necessity  for a Monorail service to be set up to ease the traffic congestion in the city.

Though the initial costs would high the returns from such a Monorail service would easily outweigh the costs, the Central Bank had pointed out.

A committee comprising officials from the relevant ministries has already been appointed by the Ministry of Transport.

While the initial assessments to establish a Monorail service within the Colombo city has been completed, it has been recommended that this service should link Malabe, Thalahena, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha, the National Hospital, Union Place, the World Trade Centre, Colombo Fort and Kotahena.