Article No 7979
Posted on July 30, 2010 by Kalani
By Amira Cader
A recent report by the Department of Transport and Logistics Management of the University of Moratuwa stated that Greater Colombo areas contributed to a loss of at least 32 billion rupees a year due to traffic congestion.
University of Moratuwa civil engineering Professor Amal .S.Kumarage told the Daily Mirror the congestion was mainly due to no proper system to control vehicular traffic in the Greater Colombo areas.
“The main reason for congestion the poor city plan wing , inappropriate public transportation facilities and insufficient traffic system, which leads to waste of time, fuel and wear and tear of vehicles,” he said Professor Kumarage highlighted that the country was losing 1.5% of the GDP due to traffic congestion
He said the flyovers and highways would provide little solution to the prevailing conditions of traffic in the city. He said it would only create more congestion in the city. For example he said Baseline road in Dematagoda which had two lanes before was made into six lanes to reduce traffic.
“Traffic at the Baseline road has increased after being made in to six lanes more than what it was with two lanes due to more vehicles on the road and no proper traffic plan,” Professor Kumarage said.
He said congestion could not be reduced in one day, but a good city plan, friendly public transport facilities and a sufficient operational traffic system was the only way to resolve the current congestion in the city.
FRIDAY, 30 JULY 2010 02:19
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