Urban Development Ministry proposes light rail projects for Colombo again

12 February 2021 08:18 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

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State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said his office proposed to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to take steps to develop light rails in Colombo, a project that has been on paper for a long time.

Dr. Godahewa told Daily Mirror there were four light rail lines proposed to be developed in Colombo, and the Malambe-Colombo line which was planned to be implemented with Japanese financial assistance, was scrapped on instructions by the Finance Ministry due to the high cost involved.

“It does not mean we have totally abandoned light rail projects. There are three more lines. We requested the Prime Minister to see how we can proceed with them. That has to be done in consultation with the Finance Ministry,” he said.

He said the Malambe-Colombo light rail was costly.

“It cost more than US $ 2 billion. It is a loan. When the rupee value depreciates, the cost of debt servicing increases,” he said.(Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 21

roni Friday, 12 February 2021 09:42 PM

Fantastic, this is what it is same project of previous regime with new estimates, for obvious reasons. Or else why come to Parliament better do something else.

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arjuna Friday, 12 February 2021 11:41 PM

May be with chinese aids. Which brings lot of benefits them after compansating fewmore millions for the latter..

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ravin Saturday, 13 February 2021 09:15 AM

It is the time, professionals take the management of this . We better make national policies and not any political policies. That was the success story behind Singapore and all developed countries. Left hand must know what's the right hand doing. We have been paying through generations for some ones stupidity.

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Birat Saturday, 13 February 2021 09:23 AM

So commission to be got for new theives

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Leel Saturday, 13 February 2021 10:41 AM

Yes you can develop them in 2 panny.

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Jude Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:06 AM

Whatever the COSTS build the proposed 4 lines LRT to Colombo ! It will HELP immensely !! Will solve tons of problems!!

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Jude Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:20 AM

CAN'T understand the rationale behind, when gov't owned national airline lost Rs.47 Billion LAST accounting PERIOD and accumulated loss is Rs.326 BILLION !! Light Rail Transit a Mass Transit system will solve lots of burgeoning issues but gov't considered LRT as too expensive! Huh! LRT once build will LAST 25-30 YEARS with very LOW maintenance cost !!

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Jude Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:27 AM

Light Rail Transit is the ONLY solution for mass transit and city congestion!! Once it built all passenger cars should pay a toll to enter the Colombo city!! That toll income alone is good enough to service the LOANS that COSTS to build!!

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Jude Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:29 AM

BUILD the mass transit LRT with public-private partnership!!

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Jude Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:36 AM

Gov't should Get OUT of AIRLINE business and start making money by charging landing fee THAT any AIR lines touches SL airports!! Remember, ONLY by air that anyone can reach SL. Some of THAT income could be USED to build mass transit LRT system!! Yeah!!

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Mokan Saturday, 13 February 2021 11:36 AM

Said no to Japanese but yes to Chinese?. Bribes behind it?

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Citizen Saturday, 13 February 2021 12:00 PM

Wow what a irony and turn of events first LRT was not suitable to Sri Lanka now the cost was too much under the Japanese grant. What is the reason now for LRT and who is the Benefactor Japan JICA at a lower interest rate or China at commercial interest rates for obvious reasons.

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Sunil Saturday, 13 February 2021 12:13 PM

Shame on this govt. They sell country for Chinese $$$ commission . Soon another Zimbabwe rising in Asia. Fail state.

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Mike Revere Saturday, 13 February 2021 12:18 PM

Malabe Borella was expensive but Borella Fort should have gone on the broad and spacious Maradana Road, so no need to pay compensation. With no common sense Ranawaka went through Colombo 7 with buildings almost onto the road. So extremely heavy compensation over C7

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Buddhist Saturday, 13 February 2021 08:08 PM

Definitely not with Chinese loan or Chinese JV. It should be with Japan.

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BE FAIR Saturday, 13 February 2021 08:17 PM

Seems this time the Community will be cleaned "Viyathmaga Style"

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Buddhist Saturday, 13 February 2021 08:33 PM

It appears we do not need President, PM or a Parliament. The country can be run by commissions. That too made of specialists who are not specialists in the specific field like the Covid committee.

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Cj winay Saturday, 13 February 2021 08:55 PM

How much money the government going to steel

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Bandara Sunday, 14 February 2021 11:22 AM

yahapalana Govt. has taken certain decisions with vision for future. But when this idiotic regime came to power has scrap them for narrow political gains and publicity with jealousy. What Godahewa knows about urban planing? We all know what he has done when he was in SEC during 2010 to 15. On what kind of technical evaluation have they done on Malabe line to say it is costly? people of this country is unfortunate to have such people like this.

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Roger Haĺliday Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:07 PM

So the old project was scrapped with the ulterior motive of a new contractor. Let's wait and see. The japs are not crooked as the chinks. The chinks will give substandard cause of the commission factor.

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Roger Haĺliday Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:16 PM

Where is that so called expert who said the light Rail is not good because it can't handle cargo. This gunaruwan should know in Sri Lanka humans are packed like cattle in trains so let's say human cargo. No 20 footers please Aruwan had

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