By Yohan Perera

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said  he had instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Highways and director of the project to construct an alternative road from Warakapola town, to Ambepussa parallel to the Colombo - Kandy road. 

The alternative road will be constructed on the South side of the Colombo - Kandy road from the Warakapola town. Minister Fernando said that the government has completed the process of acquiring lands for the project and 98 percent of compensation had already been paid.

 The construction is aimed at reducing congestion in the Warakapola town and Ambepussa area along the Colombo- Kandy main road due to the unavailability of an alternative road. Minister Fernando pointed out that it takes an hour to travel from Colombo to Warakapola, but another hour just to travel the 2 km between the Warakapola town and Ambepussa, which he has personally experienced.

 As per the construction plan, the alternative road from the Warakapola Town will be 2,350 meters in length and 22.80 meters in width. The special feature of the plan is the construction of a flyover spanning 550 meters in length.

 The construction of the alternative road from the Warakapola town is estimated to cost Rs. 4,111.16 million.The Minister said that this project would not only solve the heavy traffic congestion in and around Warakapola town in the Colombo-Kandy road but also would help development to Warakapola town.