Expressways have not been up to the mark; bold decisions can turn tables

After winning the war all governments that came to power believed that expressways is the solution for rapid development. All of them were eager to build new expressways or extend the existing ones. The governments borrowed billions of dollars to build them. But, the expressways failed to generate the GDP growth that the governments had anticipated. The expressways have benefitted only a privileged minority 

Instead of spending large amounts of money on expressways that will extend to very remote areas, the governments should have given top priority to fixing the traffic problem in Colombo and other major cities like Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Negombo, etc. This was a burning problem of the country prior to coronavirus. Coronavirus has drastically reduced the traffic flow. This is only a temporary situation

One may argue that expressways have solved the country’s transport problems to a large extent. For example he/she may say that they can now drive from Kottawa to Matara within two hours (this used to be a four-hour trip). Then, the travel time between Peliyagoda interchange to Katunayake Airport is now about 30 minutes (this used to be a 90 minute trip). Work on the Kandy Expressway and the Colombo Outer Circular Road is largely finished.

Of course, these are remarkable achievements. But, the country had to pay a huge price for them – financially and environmentally. What the country has gained has failed to outstrip the disadvantages.

The writer acknowledges that expressways have indeed served a purpose. For example, the Katunayake Expressway was a must. It was a long-felt need. Many governments failed even to start it. It was completed in 2013. The then Government must be congratulated for doing it successfully.

But, expressways have caused enormous economic and environmental problems. They have also failed to solve Sri Lanka’s huge traffic problem. In some instances expressways have created new traffic problems.

This article intends to analyse the expressways’ negative impact on Sri Lanka and how they can be used to effectively solve Sri Lanka’s massive traffic problem. 

Expressways and traffic

After winning the war all governments that came to power believed that expressways is the solution for rapid development. All of them were eager to build new expressways or extend the existing ones. The governments borrowed billions of dollars to build them. But, the expressways failed to generate the GDP growth that the governments had anticipated.

The expressways have benefitted only a privileged minority. It is a fact that more than 60% of the country’s vehicles are excluded from expressways. This issue is addressed in detail later.

It was reported in the media that the present Government intends to construct/extend at least four expressways. The burning transport problem of Sri Lanka is not the lack of expressways but the lengthy traffic jams in major cities especially Colombo. Obviously the expressways have failed to solve this massive problem. The traffic bottlenecks created by expressways have sometimes exacerbated the existing problem. 

As outlined before, the expressways do save travel time. But reaching their entry points, especially in Colombo is a herculean task. 

It takes 90/120 minutes for a person to drive from Borella to Athurugiriya/Kottawa Southern expressway entry points (prior to Corona). The time saved by faster driving on the Southern expressway is wasted by the enormous extra driving one has to make, also the lengthy delays at entry points.

We are neither a continent nor a large country; but a tiny island nation in the size of 65,600 sq km. Sri Lanka only has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 (224 km) miles. Expressways are best for large countries. What Sri Lanka requires is a well carpeted network of roads everywhere, including in rural areas. Preferably they should at least be dual track each side on main highways (this is what they are currently doing everywhere in Galle Road). There are lots of dilapidated roads in the interior that requires immediate attention. 

Instead of spending large amounts of money on expressways that will extend to very remote areas, the governments should have given top priority to fixing the traffic problem in Colombo and other major cities like Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Negombo, etc. This was a burning problem of the country prior to coronavirus. Coronavirus has drastically reduced the traffic flow. This is only a temporary situation.

To ease the huge traffic congestion in major cities especially Colombo we require efficient, computerised traffic lights, wider streets, new alternative roads/overhead bridges (flyovers). We must consider building underground road tunnels and overhead roads. The Colombo Outer Circular Road is a good initiative. Parking should be banned on all main roads. The road side parking spaces should be amalgamated to main roads. New multi-storey car parks as private ventures must be erected to park vehicles. 

Improvement of public transport

Improvement of public transport is a must. Then, people will leave their vehicles home and start using SLTB/private buses and trains. Currently the public transport facilities are most appalling. We still have a 1970/80 style public transport system. In this 2021, people travel in rickety old buses and trains, jam-packed. Surely they deserve better. The governments should ensure that every passenger will have a seat in public transport (Malaysia is an example). 

An underground Metro rail system is good but the cost of such a project is astronomical. The advantage of the underground Metros is that they are linked with the existing railway system. 

Light rail will not solve Colombo’s traffic problem. It will cause huge environmental and logistical problems. It will take several years to complete the first stage of the Light Rail. During the construction period, the traffic problem from Malabe to Fort via Rajagiriya and Borella would increase by tenfold. This congestion will flow on to other parts of the City. 

Due to lack of sunlight the ground underneath the Light Rail concrete slab is always dark; also that valuable area is unproductive (note areas under Colombo flyovers – Dematagoda, Nugegoda, Dehiwala; under the Katunayake Expressway in Ragama; under the Light Rail tracks in Mumbai/Bangkok). Light Rail introduces a new darkness to the environment; the brightness in the townships will end. 

Large, dark swaths of land that lie under the giant concrete structures of the Southern and Katunayake expressways (due to lack of sunlight) are now unproductive and cannot be used for any purpose. They are eyesores too. 

Sri Lanka’s traffic jams are a major impediment in attracting foreign investment and tourists. No one wants to spend long hours in traffic jams. 

The governments have been slack on developing/upgrading interior roads of towns/villages. The previous Government’s ‘Gamperaliya’ project which was introduced in its final year did a good job in this regard.

As outlined before, most of the rural roads are still not tarmacked/concreted. They are in pathetic condition especially after torrential rains. 

When town/rural roads are improved, farmers are able to sell their produce speedily at reasonable prices as trucks and lorries would be able to reach villages directly/easily.

Southern Expressway

Owing to the Southern Expressway one could see how fertile rubber estates and paddy fields have been divided into two. As a result, apart from the environmental degradation, the adverse impact to the economy is huge. Some of these estates have become more or less useless in value.

As the expressways cut forest lands into two, wildlife become stuck on both sides. This has serious problems in their mating and reaching breeding grounds. Some try to cross the expressways and die after becoming hit by speeding motor vehicles. It is sad to see carcasses of dead wildlife, especially of various alligators, iguanas, peacocks, butterflies, stray dogs, snake type serpents frequently on the expressways.

Now that a long road has been cut through the Sinharaja National Park – a World Heritage Site, one day it too could be connected to the Southern Expressway. Then, that could be the end of Sinharaja? 

A similar road is being constructed in Meemure in the Knuckles range. Meemure is dubbed Sri Lanka’s remotest village.

The new Buttala-Kataragama road (B35) that was built after the war (around 2012) has resulted in causing massive damage/disturbance to Yala wildlife, including wild elephants. Cutting across vehicular roads through nature reserves means the gradual ending of them.

Due to the Southern Expressway, the roadside businesses, especially restaurants that operate on the Galle Road had a huge economic setback. Even the temples such as Kalutara Bodhi, Wewurukannala in Matara and Tissamaharamaya now attract less pilgrims. These temples depend on public donations for survival and their revenues have significantly dwindled since inception of the Southern Expressway. 

Kandy Expressway

It has been reported that the loss of agricultural land as a result of the Kandy Expressway is far worse than the Southern and Katunayake Expressways combined together. These are some of Sri Lanka’s best fertile lands. Acres of valuable paddy, coconut and tea lands have been acquiesced for the project. 

Many people living on the sides of this expressway have lost valuable crop trees – coconut, jack, mango, coffee, cocoa and various spice crops such as cloves, cardamom, and pepper vines. The value of the lost produce is priceless. For many people these valuable trees were their livelihood. People have lost houses and some were uprooted from their original habitats and were settled elsewhere.

After the present Government came to power a decision was taken to expedite the linking of the Southern Expressway with the Kandy Expressway. For this large swaths of very fertile private paddy, rubber lands and the natural environment went under the concrete and rubble. 

A person who travels by train from Veyangoda to Mirigama (especially on the right hand side) could see the damage this project has caused. The beautiful serene, natural environment that existed is gone/hidden. They are taken over by ugly concrete structures and the new tarmacked road. Some waterways, anicuts, wildlife have obviously been badly affected. Local residents complain of massive flooding after major rains. Even Gampaha town submerges after massive rains. This has not happened before.

It is rumoured that thanks to the Katunayake Expressway, politicians/top officials (from both sides of the politics) grabbed and acquired valuable State land for themselves. Even the most precious Muthurajawela marshy land was not spared. There are stories that the illegal land reclamation of Muthurajawela has secretly re-commenced. This is currently somewhat visible in Jaela, Delathara, Uswetakeiyyawa, Bopitiya, Pamunugama, and Wahatiyagama areas – how marshy lands have been filled. An association must be formed urgently to stop this illegal land grab. The legal action initiated by His Eminence the Cardinal must be highly commended.

Extensions are unnecessary

The writer states that there was no need to further extend the Matara Expressway. There was simply not enough traffic to cater to from Matara to Hambantota and Mattala. The Katunayake Expressway is also to be extended, the final destination is unknown. This is unnecessary. It is not necessary to extend the Kandy Expressway beyond Kandy. There is absolutely no need to build a Northern Expressway when vehicular traffic on the current A9, which is a well-carpeted, modern road, is minimal.

Due to the new expressways to be built/extended, it is feared that these forest/nature reserves, various parks, important areas could face serious environmental damage/destruction: Udawalawe Nature Reserve, Vitharakanda, Lunugamwehera, Madunagala, Weerawila, Kalamatiya, Nimalawa, Bundala, Ussangoda, Kataragama, Yala, Buddhangala, Ulpassa, Egodayaya, Mahakandarawa, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Ritigala, Somawathiya, Elahera, Bakamuna, Kaudulla, Chundikulama, Wilpattu, Yodawewa, Muthurajawela, Madhu Reserve, Bibile Nilgala and

Pallekelle. Do we really want this to happen?

Contrary to what was anticipated, foreign tourists who travel to the south prefer taking the Galle Road instead of the Southern Expressway. The former is more scenic, lively and refreshing (runs parallel to the coast).

It is sad to note that between Ambalangoda and Tangalle, tourist hotels and private residents have built huge boundary walls covering the sea view that was available from Galle/Weligama/Hambantota main roads previously. The lack of proper regulations and vision are the reasons to lose same.

Expressways have indeed served a purpose. For example, the Katunayake Expressway was a must. It was a long-felt need. Many governments failed even to start it. It was completed in 2013. The then Government must be congratulated for doing it successfully. But, expressways have caused enormous economic and environmental problems. They have also failed to solve Sri Lanka’s huge traffic problem. In some instances expressways have created new traffic problems.

Discriminatory aspect of expressways

Now, back to the discriminatory aspect of the expressways – only about 20% of the country’s population – those who own a car/vehicle reap the benefit of expressways. A few luxury buses (who charge a higher fare) are allowed to carry passengers on expressways; meaning the poor who does intercity travel on ordinary buses are excluded. 

Motorcycles, three wheelers and InterCity Buses comprise more than 60% of Sri Lanka’s registered motorised vehicles. These three categories are excluded from expressways. 

The fact that Sri Lanka’s expressways are confined only to high income earners is a clear anomaly. This is discriminatory (all people are paying off the massive foreign debts, borrowed to build the expressways). 

Today it is true that vehicles do ply on expressways, but, most of the time they are empty. In the night, expressways are like ‘ghost towns’. This is not so in developed countries. They are busy all the time. The volume of traffic is definitely insufficient. 

On the other hand the roads that feed the expressways (i.e., High Level Road, Galle Road, Negombo Road, etc.) are jam-packed with vehicles especially with three wheelers, motorbikes and intercity buses. They should be allowed to ply on expressways.

Yes, expressways must be opened up for these vehicles (the three categories mentioned herein). This could be introduced as a pilot project for three months to assess the change. If successful, it should be made permanent.

Allowing three wheelers, motorbikes and intercity buses to ply on the expressways will become a healthy source of revenue for the Government (the Government is hugely cash strapped). This will be a major solution to the country’s ever increasing traffic problem. The traffic on the main roads will significantly reduce as a result.

True, some of the poor man’s vehicles may not be able to travel at the maximum speed of 100 km per hour, but it is not a serious issue. For three wheelers, on expressways they can be restricted to the maximum speed at 70 km per hour.

In Sri Lanka, it is not a must that vehicles should drive on the expressways at the maximum speed. We are a small island nation, we can reach any destination by road within a relatively short period of time. What is required is to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on expressways. Because there are no traffic lights on expressways, this could be achieved.

During very busy periods (April New Year, Christmas holidays) the three wheelers and motorbikes could largely be confined to the left lane or their access to the expressways can be totally stopped.

With regard to Australia and New Zealand, motorcycles and intercity buses are allowed to run on their expressways and they do not have three wheelers. Even cyclists and huge container lorries are allowed on their expressways. These two countries have only banned certain land vehicles (like tractors) and pedestrians from entering the expressways. Their highways are always busy (24/7) and earn terrific incomes for the governments. The situation in most Western countries is similar. They build their highways for all people, not just to a privileged few.

(The writer is an International Lawyer.)