Govt. appoints Singaporean firm to design Megapolis project

By Charumini de Silva 

Cabinet has approved appointment of Singaporean urban development consulting firm, Surbana Jurong, to design a Rs. 35 million master plan for the Western Region Megapolis Project. 

The decision was approved by the Cabinet of the Ministers to obtain the service of local and foreign consultant experts for a period of further four months to proceed with the above project, Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka said addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing yesterday.

Despite the total cost of the project being estimated at Rs.50 million, funds were allocated by the Treasury and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) amounting to Rs. 56 million and Rs. 10 million respectively for the preparation of the Western Province Megapolis Plan. 

Due to the change of the administrative system, the agreement between the Singaporean firm and the Government was only signed on 18 September 2015. Hence, the Government has extended the project period to five months effective from 5 September 2015 to 4 February 2016. 

According to the Cabinet of the Ministers UDA, Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, Central Environmental Authority, Coastal Conservation Department, Colombo Municipal Council, Ministry of transport, Road Development Authority, National Physical Planning Department, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Government Agent of Colombo District will work on fulltime on this project over the next four months.

Noting that collection of data, preparation of basic designs and legislations has been completed for the above purpose Minister said the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka on Wednesday.