MAKUMBURA MAKING OF A TRANSPORT HUB

The entry point to the Southern Express Highway which is to become the meeting point of several other highways in the area would be developed into a multi mode transport hub under the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, officials said.

Earlier this week the ministry stated that part of the project would come under the 3K township project while the remaining is set up to be a publicprivate partnership with local and foreign companies.

Additional Secretary for Urban Development, Janaka Kurukulasuriya stated the project was estimated to cost Rs. 400- 450 million. He added that land acquisition and a detail study of the area and the traffic flow were being conducted at the moment.

The 3K township project, conducted by Japanese NGO JICA, has already identified certain roads and lands the are to be developed in the area.

“We are hoping that part of the project will be funded by JICA and the remaining will be a public- private partnership,” he said.

The project which is set to begin during the latter part of next year is estimated to be completed within a year.

The Makumbura area will be developed to hold a multi transport interchange, where a major bus stop and railway station will be established in one setting.

Buses travelling on the Southern Expressway are set to begin at the Ma-Kumubura bus stop that is to be established under the project. The Malapalla railway station situated a few miles away is also set to be brought forward, towards the Highlevel Road and is set to be established as a bigger station connected to the bus stop, ensuring that both bus stop and railway station are established on one platform.

Parking spaces for vehicles will also be established, where motorists will be able to park their vehicles and take public transport into the city. The Ministry also stated the area would be developed into a commercial hub that would include common ameneties and parking facilities among others.

BUSES TRAVELLING ON THE SOUTHERN EXPRESSWAY ARE SETTO BEGIN AT THE MAKUMUBURA BUS STOP THAT IS TO BE ESTABLISHED

UNDERTHE PROJECT.THE MALAPALLA RAILWAY STATION SITUATED A FEW MILES AWAY IS ALSO SETTO BE BROUGHT FORWARD, TOWARDS THE HIGHLEVEL ROAD