President wants 100,000 km of rural roads developed by 2024

• New bridges to replace hanging bridges, wooden plank bridges, and small bridges
• Steps to plant 2 million plants along roads
• No vehicle parking on pedestrian walkways of main roads
• Parking spaces for residential flats, shopping complexes are to be made mandatory

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed officials to complete construction of 100,000 km of rural roads and connect them with the main road network by 2024.

The directive was given at a meeting held to review future activities of the State Ministry of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Facilities at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.

President Rajapaksa stressed that the construction of 100,000 km of rural roads needs to adhere environmental guidelines. 

He also directed that new bridges will be built, replacing hanging, wooden plank, and small bridges. 

The officials pointed out that the construction of 8,000 km of roads has commenced, and 400 km has already been completed in the last few months.  President Rajapaksa noted that the District Secretaries must ensure the supply of required soil, stones and sand for the constructions, adding that prior approval should be granted to those who seek necessary resources from the authorities such as Wildlife Conservation and Archaeological Departments at District-level meetings.

He also said that no room should be left for interruptions or delays in the construction process. “The supervision of the constructions should be carried out by both Government representatives and contractors, and no subcontracts are allowed,” President Rajapaksa added. The President strictly advised to prohibit vehicle parking on the pedestrian walkways along the main roads. He further added that it should be made mandatory to allocate parking spaces when residential flats and shopping complexes are constructed.

It was also decided to plant two million trees along the main roads to shelter the pedestrians. It is a right of the citizenry to have their transportation requirements satisfied speedily with convenience and security. Considering the unsuitability and fractured inter-connection in the existing road system, establishment of an efficient and advanced road system was promised in the national policy framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.

Highways Minster Johnston Fernando, Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Facilities State Minister Nimal Lanza, Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival Chairman Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Cabinet and State Ministry Secretaries, officials of the Line Departments and representatives of the contract companies were present at the discussion.