Prioritise safety of public, railway employees in executing railway projects: President tells officials

Colombo, October 16 (Daily Mirror)- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways to prioritise the safety of railway employees and the public in the execution of railway line projects.

The President made these remarks during a progress review meeting of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation held today at the Presidential Secretariat.

He emphasised that enhancing the efficiency of road development projects is crucial for achieving rural economic development goals.

He highlighted the need to streamline the procurement process for these projects, ensuring that local communities benefit rather than allowing contracts to concentrate in the hands of a few.
 
The meeting extensively covered various projects under the Ministry, with particular focus on the construction of the Kadawata-Mirigama section of the Central Expressway.

He underscored the importance of developing ports, airports and highways for the economic growth of the country, asserting that careful planning of these projects could significantly uplift the national economy.

In executing ongoing road development projects, he called for attention to environmental, financial and community impacts, urging measures to minimise adverse effects and ensure timely implementation.