Road infrastructure in Colombo is not on par with the international standards. However, road infrastructure has been improved during the past few years and it is fairly good in urban areas of Colombo.
However, where the suburban areas are concerned, the road infrastructure is under developed in certain areas. In most cases, the roads are so narrow that two vehicles coming from opposite directions are not able to comfortably move pass each other. The number of road accidents have increased due to such issues.
The increasing number of vehicles have been another contributing factor. But we shouldn’t complain on that matter, as the increasing number of vehicles is a sign of development in a country. The road infrastructure is a concern and it should be at an acceptable standard in all the areas of the country, as it is a mandatory factor for the safety of all citizens.
First thing you have to understand is that you can’t compare the standard of roadways and infrastructure facilities in Sri Lanka with that of UK, USA, Singapore or any other developed country. We have to look at these issue from a Sri Lankan perspective where the quality and stand of our roads are dependent on the financial strength of our country.
The way I look at this, maybe different from someone else’s view. To me, our roadways are good. After 2010, we witnessed rapid developments in roadways and infrastructure. We are way better in term of our transportation infrastructure, when compared with any other SAARC country.
We can’t blame any government in power for the traffic conditions occurred due to development-related constructions. But we have to accept the fact that there is uncontrollable traffic congestion due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road, which means that there are more vehicles than what our roads can accommodate.
However, it must also be noted that the standard of our road infrastructure is deteriorating day-by-day. One reason for this could be the lack of inter departmental communication, especially between the Road Development Authority (RDA), Ceylon Electricity Board and the Water Supply and Drainage Board, as these are the main governing bodies who are involved in maintaining the standard of the roadways and infrastructure.
For instance, the moment a road construction is completed, it is excavated to lay electrical cables or water lines; and it takes months and months to repair the road again. Many a times you find that those repairs are not up to standard.
The RDA is responsible to develop the roads, including planning, design and construction; while municipalities are accountable for maintaining those – i.e. to keep the roadways, drainages and pavements clean, on a regular basis, to increase the lifetime of the same and provide a safe and pleasant environment for citizens.
But we always find that roads and pavements are full of litter, and drains are blocked resulting in flooding after rains. Even though we are aware and have been educated about these factors; don’t we find ourselves as culprits, those who are indirectly involved in tarnishing our own image? As citizens, can we honestly say that we have contributed enough to maintain the standard? Isn’t it our responsibility?
Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sewers and etc., are part of a country’s basic economic foundation. Even though Colombo has a greater road density than any of our South Asian neighbours, sadly infrastructure maintenance in Colombo has been neglected for years. Over the years, rural roads have been developed up to a great extent, along with the newly constructed highways. However, Colombo’s infrastructure did not receive the same attention. Instead, Colombo received just a ‘white wash’ to make it look eye-catching.
The ever increasing traffic congestion in the city’s roads contributed to its deterioration and the Government was compelled to increase the road capacity by widening some of the roads in Colombo. But this was a temporary solution and it did not help much in the long run because the traffic increased even faster.
Instead of patching up deteriorated roads, the Government must focus on designing an efficient road infrastructure network to serve the needs of daily commuters and citizens of Colombo. All the key roads of the city must be developed to provide overall connectivity with the other by-roads, which will decrease road congestion during peak hours.
Furthermore, the drainage systems in Colombo must be re-constructed to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Roadways and infrastructure facilities are two of the main public services of a country. The return for the use of these services is paid back by the citizens who make use of same, by way of taxes and bills. Therefore, the prime duty of the relevant authorities is to ensure that the general public experience the maximum use of these facilities.
Colombo, being the commercial capital of our country, has a good system of roadways which include expressways towards the BIA and down south. In order to maintain the standards of these roadways, a well-planned system is essential. A common sight these days is deep excavations on roads for the laying of electricity cables, water pipes, construction of damaged drainage systems and etc. These renovations take go on for long periods of time, resulting in heavy traffic jams on busy hours of the day.
It is a clear sign of the lack of coordination between relevant authorities. On a rainy day, the city roads are inundated, due to defects in the drainage system. This is a major problem that affects pedestrians as well as vehicular traffic.
One other factor that should be given more attention are the buildings, especially the ones that are under construction. Even though plans are approved by the local authorities before construction, mechanisms should be implemented to make sure that they are constructed and maintained according to proper engineering standards and safety measures, with teams kept on standby, in case of any disastrous situations, to minimise the loss of lives and damage to property.
If the roads and infrastructure could be improved to high standards and maintained accordingly, throughout the country, I believe it will be a leap towards a better Sri Lanka.
To rate the difference of Colombo roads and infrastructure, one has to be a pedestrian as well as a rider, who probably uses private or public transportation.
For instance, take two roads which are located in close proximity from each other; one would be in good condition while the other in a dilapidated state. In this backdrop, we cannot reach a conclusion to say that, overall, the city’s roads are in good state.
Less attention was paid to roads, drainage and pavements when walkways were constructed. This should not be the case, as all of these aspects should by duly considered when in construction. If we are to improve, the surroundings areas and roads connecting those, too should be given attention. This is one example as to how the overall situation can be uplifted.
The same applies to infrastructure. All these are to be standardised. Plans for public infrastructure should be drawn with attention to detail. Investments on the same should be economical. Furthermore, these projects should be under the strict observation of watchdogs – to ensure that procedures are followed by both public (users) and the government.
The Colombo city has sufficient roads. Other than in the areas which are prone to flooding, Colombo has the advantage of the sea for a faster disposal of rain water. The issue is with the maintenance of the road infrastructure.
Narrowing down the scope of this discussion to roads, I would say the roads within Colombo city limits are poorly maintained. The fruits of a new road will only last months, as the Road Development Authority (RDA) do not properly monitor the roads to plaster/repair them in the event of damages caused by an accident or construction work.
Another issue is using inferior quality material to construct roads, as a result of corruption in the responsible authorities. A project to expand a road would be budgeted high with quality material. However, using low quality material in the actual construction and misusing the excess funds has become a common practice.
The increase in the number of vehicles while there is no expansion in the road network, is one of the stressing issues that the country faces currently. Unplanned irrigation projects and ad-hoc repairs done to urban roads add to this.
Since it is rather difficult to increase the number of roads, authorities have tried to combat this issue by increasing the down-payment requirement to lease vehicles with the aim of reducing the number of vehicles on roads. However, these measures are not adequate. With the population growth in Colombo and other urban areas of the Island, it seems almost impossible to find a solution to traffic and the valuable time wasted on the road every day.
I believe that the solution is neither developing roads, nor reducing the number of vehicles; but improving public transportation services such as trains. Trains can carry a large number of passengers and are relatively faster. Increasing the number of trains and maintenance of the same to deliver a pleasant journeying experience would address many issues.
At the first glance roads look quite alright, but are not maintained. Although Colombo roads are comparatively clean, they stink. This stench needs to be eradicated from its root cause. The maintenance and preservation of public Infrastructure should be a responsibility since we utilise those. The public should educated to be civil and abide by the law (though this is easier said than done).
The authorities should punish people who dump garbage on roads, spit on roads and pavements, throw waste water on the pavement, dump king coconut shells and etc. This law should also be applied to vendors who run wayside kiosks since roadside vendors are accountable for the creation of a large amount of waste, which often go unnoticed and don’t get observed for penalties. Epidemics spread via such breeding grounds which are havens for mosquitoes, flies and rats.
Safe mobility is an integral part of a city’s infrastructure. This should be in line with the enforcement of law and order, for a preventive approach where violence can be prevented beforehand. Perpetrators has to be punished irrespective of their social status. I would suggest the establishment of a reliable and responsive toll free line which would operate round-the-clock. This can provide support to pedestrians and drivers alike, in the event of emergencies.
I believe the Sri Lankan roads and infrastructure are under developed – the reason being, the absence of a proper vision or plan due to the policies being changed when different regimes come into power.
Unlike other developing countries, Sri Lanka has no plan in place. Regime changes result in halting the existing projects to follow a different agenda. The recent change in the regime is evident proof of the above point, as most of the projects that were initiated by the Rajapaksa government were stopped or redirected to a different purpose by the coalition regime. This is unfavourable for a developing country as it is a waste of tax revenue.
Sri Lanka should use Malaysia as a benchmark for its infrastructure development. The 2020 vision plan implemented by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was followed by all parties who succeeded him (of course with small changes which hardly affected the original plan), and today, Malaysia has one of the best networks of highways in the region.
The transportation sector is vital for the development of the industrial and export segments of the country. The manufacturing sectors are directly or indirectly linked with the transportation network.
The prevalent acute road congestion in Colombo causes fuel wastage and loss of working hours leading to poor levels of productivity. Hence, the need for good road networks should be prioritised.
Road networks are under severe strain due to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles since the 1980s. With a rising number of vehicles, and the need for a more efficient road network to facilitate the movements of goods and services, the government is actively engaged in improving, rehabilitating and extending existing the road network.
Infrastructure development has been a key driver of economic growth and reducing poverty. The deficiency of investments may cause lags in infrastructure development and therefore the government should launch an ambitious programme to develop infrastructure in Colombo.
Roads cannot accommodate pedestrians who outweigh the number of vehicles on the road. Most of the sidewalks in Colombo are given step mother’s treatment. They are not repaired properly while some receive repeated face-lifting, or sidewalks are used as parking lots for vehicles, or encroached by stalls alongside roads. What can be worse other than this for pedestrians?
Many people find it a nuisance to walk on them, traversing to and fro on the main road and pavement. A differently-abled person on a wheelchair cannot make his way and could meet with accidents as narrow pavements compel them to walk on the main road.
The quality of infrastructure should be regulated. Even within the Colombo city, plans for many buildings without parking spaces are approved. At the end of the day, these occupy public spaces or encroach roads. Or else, after getting the plans approved, the premises are extended or modified according to the wishes of the occupant. And authorities turn a blind eye to such malpractices.
When one enters the city of Colombo, what do you see? A deplorable state – the once smooth carpeted roads and the beautiful paved walkways have disappeared. The city plan seems to be in total disarray. What a pathetic situation.
It is known fact that no sooner a road is repaired or restored to a good condition, either the CEB or the Water Supply and Drainage Board will come and excavate to lay new cables or pipes. There is no co-ordination whatsoever between state organisations. The roads are broken up, but never restored to their original condition and the contractors quit, leaving a total mess and no penalty is imposed. They are not being compelled to repair the damaged roads. Who is responsible?
As a result, it takes hours on a busy week day to get to one’s destination. Ultimately the general public suffers and the authorities turn a blind eye.
We can see development activities taking place, with the construction of fly overs, expansion of roads and new drainage systems. However these projects are moving forward at a snail’s pace, at the whims and fancies of the contractors without any controls and penal provisions being imposed for delays.
There is too much of bureaucracy and a high level of corruption, which has affected the infrastructure development of the city, leaving citizens frustrated.
In my view, the roads and infrastructure in the city of Colombo are fairly good. But, as my fellow commentators have pointed out, absence of a proper drainage system is something that continues to bedevil both the city dwellers and commuters alike whenever the city experiences rain even if it’s little more than a shower.
Sometimes, it’s regrettable that the drainage system is well established, but because no proper maintenance is done, it remains clogged with garbage. But, some roads and by lanes are deliberately left without any drainage system, which causes those roads to be inundated at even the lightest of rains. This is so because, on some lanes, the walls encircling the houses so encroach upon the road that there is barely any space left between the edge of the road and the walls.
I’m not sure if there is no enforceable regulation on this critical matter. Even if it’s there, I can’t help thinking that it could just be something that most people take for granted. So the bottom line is that the road infrastructure maintenance should be a priority concern for the RDA and also the municipal authorities and that the space to be left between a road and any roadside construction, commercial or residential, should be legally enforced.
It is not a simple task to extend and expand the urban areas and road networks that were created centuries ago, into a metropolis. The task would have been a little easier, had towns been planned systematically, with specific areas to locate schools, hospitals and stations; unlike the cities we have, where various types of premises scattered everywhere. Crowded with too many shops and people, certain roads fall below standards in terms of quality and cleanliness.
Implementation of the park-and-go option with shuttle buses that accommodate wheelchairs for differently-abled passengers, is a worthy suggestion. This will limit the need for private vehicles to enter the city, ease out traffic while burning lesser fuel (saving on the country’s import expenditure) and relieve the stress of travellers who commute to the Colombo city regularly. People need to spend lesser time on roads to attend to their tasks.
At the first glance, an average citizen or an expatriate who had returned to Sri Lanka, without a doubt, would say that roads in Colombo have improved. This, in a way, is somewhat an overrated comment. Though the main roads were revamped, by-roads and lanes in the city were not regarded for.
On a rainy day, it wreaks havoc with drains overflowing and roads flooding within a few hours, and lanes with potholes that make commuting not so safe and pleasant. Colombo was named the world’s fourth fastest-growing destination for international visitors, according to the 2016 Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index. However, upon visiting certain parts of Colombo such as Kotahena, Pettah and Dematagoda, one would see that this accolade seems to be a mistake.
Improving of infrastructure has to be prioritised. Public sanitation facilities must be setup and maintained in Colombo, as such facilities are used by many. It should also be noted that this is currently being implemented in certain areas of Colombo with toilets being well maintained. Another priority is the implementation of a regular bus service to Colombo Fort or Pettah until 9.00 p.m. for those who commute in public transport.
Road infrastructure in Colombo is not on par with the international standards. However, road infrastructure has been improved during the past few years and it is fairly good in urban areas of Colombo.
However, where the suburban areas are concerned, the road infrastructure is under developed in certain areas. In most cases, the roads are so narrow that two vehicles coming from opposite directions are not able to comfortably move pass each other. The number of road accidents have increased due to such issues.
The increasing number of vehicles have been another contributing factor. But we shouldn’t complain on that matter, as the increasing number of vehicles is a sign of development in a country. The road infrastructure is a concern and it should be at an acceptable standard in all the areas of the country, as it is a mandatory factor for the safety of all citizens.
First thing you have to understand is that you can’t compare the standard of roadways and infrastructure facilities in Sri Lanka with that of UK, USA, Singapore or any other developed country. We have to look at these issue from a Sri Lankan perspective where the quality and stand of our roads are dependent on the financial strength of our country.
The way I look at this, maybe different from someone else’s view. To me, our roadways are good. After 2010, we witnessed rapid developments in roadways and infrastructure. We are way better in term of our transportation infrastructure, when compared with any other SAARC country.
We can’t blame any government in power for the traffic conditions occurred due to development-related constructions. But we have to accept the fact that there is uncontrollable traffic congestion due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road, which means that there are more vehicles than what our roads can accommodate.
However, it must also be noted that the standard of our road infrastructure is deteriorating day-by-day. One reason for this could be the lack of inter departmental communication, especially between the Road Development Authority (RDA), Ceylon Electricity Board and the Water Supply and Drainage Board, as these are the main governing bodies who are involved in maintaining the standard of the roadways and infrastructure.
For instance, the moment a road construction is completed, it is excavated to lay electrical cables or water lines; and it takes months and months to repair the road again. Many a times you find that those repairs are not up to standard.
The RDA is responsible to develop the roads, including planning, design and construction; while municipalities are accountable for maintaining those – i.e. to keep the roadways, drainages and pavements clean, on a regular basis, to increase the lifetime of the same and provide a safe and pleasant environment for citizens.
But we always find that roads and pavements are full of litter, and drains are blocked resulting in flooding after rains. Even though we are aware and have been educated about these factors; don’t we find ourselves as culprits, those who are indirectly involved in tarnishing our own image? As citizens, can we honestly say that we have contributed enough to maintain the standard? Isn’t it our responsibility?
Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sewers and etc., are part of a country’s basic economic foundation. Even though Colombo has a greater road density than any of our South Asian neighbours, sadly infrastructure maintenance in Colombo has been neglected for years. Over the years, rural roads have been developed up to a great extent, along with the newly constructed highways. However, Colombo’s infrastructure did not receive the same attention. Instead, Colombo received just a ‘white wash’ to make it look eye-catching.
The ever increasing traffic congestion in the city’s roads contributed to its deterioration and the Government was compelled to increase the road capacity by widening some of the roads in Colombo. But this was a temporary solution and it did not help much in the long run because the traffic increased even faster.
Instead of patching up deteriorated roads, the Government must focus on designing an efficient road infrastructure network to serve the needs of daily commuters and citizens of Colombo. All the key roads of the city must be developed to provide overall connectivity with the other by-roads, which will decrease road congestion during peak hours.
Furthermore, the drainage systems in Colombo must be re-constructed to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Roadways and infrastructure facilities are two of the main public services of a country. The return for the use of these services is paid back by the citizens who make use of same, by way of taxes and bills. Therefore, the prime duty of the relevant authorities is to ensure that the general public experience the maximum use of these facilities.
Colombo, being the commercial capital of our country, has a good system of roadways which include expressways towards the BIA and down south. In order to maintain the standards of these roadways, a well-planned system is essential. A common sight these days is deep excavations on roads for the laying of electricity cables, water pipes, construction of damaged drainage systems and etc. These renovations take go on for long periods of time, resulting in heavy traffic jams on busy hours of the day.
It is a clear sign of the lack of coordination between relevant authorities. On a rainy day, the city roads are inundated, due to defects in the drainage system. This is a major problem that affects pedestrians as well as vehicular traffic.
One other factor that should be given more attention are the buildings, especially the ones that are under construction. Even though plans are approved by the local authorities before construction, mechanisms should be implemented to make sure that they are constructed and maintained according to proper engineering standards and safety measures, with teams kept on standby, in case of any disastrous situations, to minimise the loss of lives and damage to property.
If the roads and infrastructure could be improved to high standards and maintained accordingly, throughout the country, I believe it will be a leap towards a better Sri Lanka.
To rate the difference of Colombo roads and infrastructure, one has to be a pedestrian as well as a rider, who probably uses private or public transportation.
For instance, take two roads which are located in close proximity from each other; one would be in good condition while the other in a dilapidated state. In this backdrop, we cannot reach a conclusion to say that, overall, the city’s roads are in good state.
Less attention was paid to roads, drainage and pavements when walkways were constructed. This should not be the case, as all of these aspects should by duly considered when in construction. If we are to improve, the surroundings areas and roads connecting those, too should be given attention. This is one example as to how the overall situation can be uplifted.
The same applies to infrastructure. All these are to be standardised. Plans for public infrastructure should be drawn with attention to detail. Investments on the same should be economical. Furthermore, these projects should be under the strict observation of watchdogs – to ensure that procedures are followed by both public (users) and the government.
The Colombo city has sufficient roads. Other than in the areas which are prone to flooding, Colombo has the advantage of the sea for a faster disposal of rain water. The issue is with the maintenance of the road infrastructure.
Narrowing down the scope of this discussion to roads, I would say the roads within Colombo city limits are poorly maintained. The fruits of a new road will only last months, as the Road Development Authority (RDA) do not properly monitor the roads to plaster/repair them in the event of damages caused by an accident or construction work.
Another issue is using inferior quality material to construct roads, as a result of corruption in the responsible authorities. A project to expand a road would be budgeted high with quality material. However, using low quality material in the actual construction and misusing the excess funds has become a common practice.
The increase in the number of vehicles while there is no expansion in the road network, is one of the stressing issues that the country faces currently. Unplanned irrigation projects and ad-hoc repairs done to urban roads add to this.
Since it is rather difficult to increase the number of roads, authorities have tried to combat this issue by increasing the down-payment requirement to lease vehicles with the aim of reducing the number of vehicles on roads. However, these measures are not adequate. With the population growth in Colombo and other urban areas of the Island, it seems almost impossible to find a solution to traffic and the valuable time wasted on the road every day.
I believe that the solution is neither developing roads, nor reducing the number of vehicles; but improving public transportation services such as trains. Trains can carry a large number of passengers and are relatively faster. Increasing the number of trains and maintenance of the same to deliver a pleasant journeying experience would address many issues.
At the first glance roads look quite alright, but are not maintained. Although Colombo roads are comparatively clean, they stink. This stench needs to be eradicated from its root cause. The maintenance and preservation of public Infrastructure should be a responsibility since we utilise those. The public should educated to be civil and abide by the law (though this is easier said than done).
The authorities should punish people who dump garbage on roads, spit on roads and pavements, throw waste water on the pavement, dump king coconut shells and etc. This law should also be applied to vendors who run wayside kiosks since roadside vendors are accountable for the creation of a large amount of waste, which often go unnoticed and don’t get observed for penalties. Epidemics spread via such breeding grounds which are havens for mosquitoes, flies and rats.
Safe mobility is an integral part of a city’s infrastructure. This should be in line with the enforcement of law and order, for a preventive approach where violence can be prevented beforehand. Perpetrators has to be punished irrespective of their social status. I would suggest the establishment of a reliable and responsive toll free line which would operate round-the-clock. This can provide support to pedestrians and drivers alike, in the event of emergencies.
I believe the Sri Lankan roads and infrastructure are under developed – the reason being, the absence of a proper vision or plan due to the policies being changed when different regimes come into power.
Unlike other developing countries, Sri Lanka has no plan in place. Regime changes result in halting the existing projects to follow a different agenda. The recent change in the regime is evident proof of the above point, as most of the projects that were initiated by the Rajapaksa government were stopped or redirected to a different purpose by the coalition regime. This is unfavourable for a developing country as it is a waste of tax revenue.
Sri Lanka should use Malaysia as a benchmark for its infrastructure development. The 2020 vision plan implemented by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was followed by all parties who succeeded him (of course with small changes which hardly affected the original plan), and today, Malaysia has one of the best networks of highways in the region.
The transportation sector is vital for the development of the industrial and export segments of the country. The manufacturing sectors are directly or indirectly linked with the transportation network.
The prevalent acute road congestion in Colombo causes fuel wastage and loss of working hours leading to poor levels of productivity. Hence, the need for good road networks should be prioritised.
Road networks are under severe strain due to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles since the 1980s. With a rising number of vehicles, and the need for a more efficient road network to facilitate the movements of goods and services, the government is actively engaged in improving, rehabilitating and extending existing the road network.
Infrastructure development has been a key driver of economic growth and reducing poverty. The deficiency of investments may cause lags in infrastructure development and therefore the government should launch an ambitious programme to develop infrastructure in Colombo.
Roads cannot accommodate pedestrians who outweigh the number of vehicles on the road. Most of the sidewalks in Colombo are given step mother’s treatment. They are not repaired properly while some receive repeated face-lifting, or sidewalks are used as parking lots for vehicles, or encroached by stalls alongside roads. What can be worse other than this for pedestrians?
Many people find it a nuisance to walk on them, traversing to and fro on the main road and pavement. A differently-abled person on a wheelchair cannot make his way and could meet with accidents as narrow pavements compel them to walk on the main road.
The quality of infrastructure should be regulated. Even within the Colombo city, plans for many buildings without parking spaces are approved. At the end of the day, these occupy public spaces or encroach roads. Or else, after getting the plans approved, the premises are extended or modified according to the wishes of the occupant. And authorities turn a blind eye to such malpractices.
When one enters the city of Colombo, what do you see? A deplorable state – the once smooth carpeted roads and the beautiful paved walkways have disappeared. The city plan seems to be in total disarray. What a pathetic situation.
It is known fact that no sooner a road is repaired or restored to a good condition, either the CEB or the Water Supply and Drainage Board will come and excavate to lay new cables or pipes. There is no co-ordination whatsoever between state organisations. The roads are broken up, but never restored to their original condition and the contractors quit, leaving a total mess and no penalty is imposed. They are not being compelled to repair the damaged roads. Who is responsible?
As a result, it takes hours on a busy week day to get to one’s destination. Ultimately the general public suffers and the authorities turn a blind eye.
We can see development activities taking place, with the construction of fly overs, expansion of roads and new drainage systems. However these projects are moving forward at a snail’s pace, at the whims and fancies of the contractors without any controls and penal provisions being imposed for delays.
There is too much of bureaucracy and a high level of corruption, which has affected the infrastructure development of the city, leaving citizens frustrated.
In my view, the roads and infrastructure in the city of Colombo are fairly good. But, as my fellow commentators have pointed out, absence of a proper drainage system is something that continues to bedevil both the city dwellers and commuters alike whenever the city experiences rain even if it’s little more than a shower.
Sometimes, it’s regrettable that the drainage system is well established, but because no proper maintenance is done, it remains clogged with garbage. But, some roads and by lanes are deliberately left without any drainage system, which causes those roads to be inundated at even the lightest of rains. This is so because, on some lanes, the walls encircling the houses so encroach upon the road that there is barely any space left between the edge of the road and the walls.
I’m not sure if there is no enforceable regulation on this critical matter. Even if it’s there, I can’t help thinking that it could just be something that most people take for granted. So the bottom line is that the road infrastructure maintenance should be a priority concern for the RDA and also the municipal authorities and that the space to be left between a road and any roadside construction, commercial or residential, should be legally enforced.
It is not a simple task to extend and expand the urban areas and road networks that were created centuries ago, into a metropolis. The task would have been a little easier, had towns been planned systematically, with specific areas to locate schools, hospitals and stations; unlike the cities we have, where various types of premises scattered everywhere. Crowded with too many shops and people, certain roads fall below standards in terms of quality and cleanliness.
Implementation of the park-and-go option with shuttle buses that accommodate wheelchairs for differently-abled passengers, is a worthy suggestion. This will limit the need for private vehicles to enter the city, ease out traffic while burning lesser fuel (saving on the country’s import expenditure) and relieve the stress of travellers who commute to the Colombo city regularly. People need to spend lesser time on roads to attend to their tasks.
At the first glance, an average citizen or an expatriate who had returned to Sri Lanka, without a doubt, would say that roads in Colombo have improved. This, in a way, is somewhat an overrated comment. Though the main roads were revamped, by-roads and lanes in the city were not regarded for.
On a rainy day, it wreaks havoc with drains overflowing and roads flooding within a few hours, and lanes with potholes that make commuting not so safe and pleasant. Colombo was named the world’s fourth fastest-growing destination for international visitors, according to the 2016 Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index. However, upon visiting certain parts of Colombo such as Kotahena, Pettah and Dematagoda, one would see that this accolade seems to be a mistake.
Improving of infrastructure has to be prioritised. Public sanitation facilities must be setup and maintained in Colombo, as such facilities are used by many. It should also be noted that this is currently being implemented in certain areas of Colombo with toilets being well maintained. Another priority is the implementation of a regular bus service to Colombo Fort or Pettah until 9.00 p.m. for those who commute in public transport.