Tokyo Cement powers Megapolis Development Project seminar by CCISL

Tokyo Cement Group was the Sole Sponsor of the seminar organised by the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI) of Sri Lanka, on the topic ‘Western Megapolis Development Project – Can it be Accelerated?’, held recently at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, the forum discussed the far-reaching socioeconomic benefits of the proposed multifaceted development project which has the country abuzz with anticipation.

The distinguished guests included professionals in the industry, business leaders and potential investors who would propel the country’s first Megapolis project forward. The panel of speakers included eminent local and international construction industry specialists and Smart City solution experts such as Western Megapolis Project Planning Project Director Lakshman Jayasekara, Indian Institute of Architects International Affairs Board Chairman Arc. Prakash Deshmukh, UTC Director for Government Affairs, India Samit Ray, University of Moratuwa Transportation Engineering Senior Lecturer Dr. G.L. Dimantha De Silva and Tokyo Cement Group Director of Research and Development Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail, who shared their experience as well as the plans underway to ensure the successful deployment of the Megapolis project.

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka addressing the gathering via a special video message stated, “Unlike in the past we will not execute projects without taking in to consideration its full impact on social, environmental and cultural aspects. We want to ensure best returns for our people and higher quality of life for our citizens by creating a Smart Nation. After Mahaweli, the Western Megapolis is going to be the biggest growth milestone in Sri Lanka’s history. Our strategic objective is for Sri Lanka to gain a competitive advantage in the long term,” reinstating the project’s importance as a pivotal point in Sri Lanka’s emergence as an economic hub in South Asia.

The Western Region Megapolis Development Project aspires to model Colombo and its suburbs after Smart Cities such as Tokyo and Singapore. Through planned, sustainable urban development, the project aims to facilitate integrated economic opportunity to boost global competitiveness not just of the Western Region but of Sri Lanka as a nation. The project will comprise of nearly 150 sub-projects that will form economic and civil activity clusters, and geographically position them in identified areas within the Western region in a manner that is conducive for sustainable socioeconomic growth.

The Indian counterparts at the event, namely Arc. Prakash Deshmukh and Samit Ray, shared their experiences on developing India’s trailblazing Smart Cities such as Margapatta in Pune, Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Their presentations highlighted the importance of identifying the strategic economic engines that help generate much needed capital to self-fuel projects such as the Megapolis, while having an integrated view of the bigger plan at national level.

The Megapolis Project marks a significant milestone in the construction industry of Sri Lanka compelling it to comply with global standards, making it imperative that we follow sustainable design and construction methods. Going forward the market will demand for products that are manufactured in an environment-friendly manner, abiding to stringent quality standards, which in turn allow buildings and other mega structures meet globally acclaimed Green Building criteria.  Progressively, the market will scrutinise all building material all the way down to their source to ensure sustainability guidelines are met.  

Tokyo Cement Group came forward as the Sole Sponsor of the seminar to demonstrate their ability to champion this cause. The company adopts environment-friendly manufacturing processes to produce a range of innovative cement and concrete products that contribute towards energy efficiency and waste reduction. In addition, the company showed their ability to meet the demands in terms of capacity to manufacture and supply cement and concrete needed in constructing such large scale projects. 

The event also provided a networking platform for the professionals and the strategic stakeholders of the industry, who will be the driving force behind the Western Megapolis Development Project.