UDA confident of LRTs by 2023

Friday, 17 August 2018 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Charumini de Silva

The preparation work for Japan and Korea funded Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects are steaming ahead as pre-feasibility studies near completion, with plans by Urban Development Authority (UDA) to call for investment proposals soon.

“There are two different sets of LRT projects on five different lines. The one supported by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is nearing the completion of feasibility study and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has also been completed now. We will be calling for investment proposals on detailed design and construction work by January 2019,” UDA Chairman Dr. Jagath Munasinghe told media in Colombo yesterday.

According to the feasibility study prepared by the JICA, an elevated light railway line will be built on a 16-kilometre stretch from Malabe to Pettah at an estimated cost of $ 1.7 billion or some Rs. 272 billion by 2024. The Japanese Government has granted this loan package at 1% interest per annum in 40 years with a grace period of 12 years.

Dr. Munasinghe said the other project which involves three different lines had also completed pre-feasibility studies.

In November 2017, the Cabinet approved awarding a consultancy service contract to the South Korean firm Seoyoung Engineering Co. Ltd. (SYE), Saman Corporation for a cost of Rs. 202 million to carry out the pre-feasibility studies prior to the construction of the LRT lines.

“On completion of the pre-feasibility studies, we had a meeting on Wednesday (15). They have already called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from different interested parties, where six parties have responded. Now it is open for detailed feasibility and investment proposals. They have been given time till January next year,” he added.

The UDA Chairman pointed out that depending on the responses they receive, construction will start somewhere in 2022.

“I believe the projects will be operating from 2023 to 2025, but we can expect LRTs running in Colombo by 2023,” Dr. Munasinghe expressed confidence.