Buses block Horana Road in Panadura

By Kusal Chamath 
Heavy congestion experienced at the Panadura bus terminal had created hardship to tens of thousands of passengers using the bus terminal and the motorists along the Panadura – Horana Road, commuters said. 

They said that the shifting of the SLTB bus terminal to the new location near the clock tower -which was already congested-had resulted in this situation. 

Residents said parking of buses by the roadside created an obstruction to the movement of vehicles, particularly during peak hours. 

Drivers said that the Colombo-bound buses leaving the bus terminal to enter the Horana Road Junction, haphazardly obstructed traffic on the road and prevented the free flow of traffic. 
They said they were prevented from entering the Galle Road by buses that obstruct the junction when the green signal was on.

A mercantile executive Wimalasiri Nagahawatta (48) said that the SLTB bus terminal was shifted to the new private bus terminal without least concern about the hardship faced by the public. 

He pointed out that the SLTB bus terminal should have been located somewhere else instead. 

“I travel from Bandaragama by car with my wife and children and after dropping my children at their respective schools, proceed to Colombo by train leaving the car in Panadura. 

“We experience heavy traffic congestion on the Horana Road due to the obstructions caused by buses entering the Galle Road at the traffic light. Drivers keep the buses across the road preventing other vehicles from proceeding when the green light was given. 

“They attempt to rush through regardless of its inconvenience to the public. It is sad that the Policemen on duty do not pay any attention to the obstructions created by private bus drivers,” he said. 

Another resident Jayanath Welmillage (60) said that the authorities had taken an ill-planned step to shift the SLTB bus terminal to the new location, which was already congested. 

“The SLTB, the Panadura Urban Council, and the Urban Development Authority should have put their heads together before shifting the SLTB bus terminal to a suitable location without squeezing it into the new private bus terminal,” he said.

“A lawsuit filed by the owner of the land where the SLTB terminal was previously held, to regain its possession had been going on for several years. But authorities were not able to find a land in Panadura town to shift the bus terminal. The land near the railway station, which is now being used as a dumping ground by the UC, could have been the most ideal location,” he opined. Residents and drivers pointed out that the heavy traffic congestion experienced on the Horana Road in Panadura was mainly due to the obstructions at the colour signals caused by buses attempting to enter the Galle Road. 

They requested the Police to prevent buses blocking the vehicles on Horana Road. 

They requested the authorities to find a suitable location for the SLTB bus stand as well.