BASELINE ROAD EXTENSION INCONVENIENCES RESIDENTS
Plans revived to extend Baseline Road from Kirulapone to Ratmalana have caused residents living along the stretch of land ear marked for development countless problems during the past three years.
At the outset the road was to connect motorists travelling down the Kandy Road to the Galle Road through Kirulapone to Ratmalana according to plans made by the Road Development Authority (RDA).
The project came to a halt several years ago as the authorities did not have the necessary funds to pay compensation for the land that was to be acquired for the project. At a discussion held in 2009 the President had promised residents living down Robert Gunawardane Mawatha the cancellation of the project and a cabinet paper was approved to this effect, residents said.
However, the RDA stated that only the stretch from Horana Road to Ratmalana was cancelled and a cabinet paper to extend the Horana Road was submitted and approved in late 2009. The order to acquire land
The project came to a halt several years ago as the authorities did not have the necessary funds to pay compensation for the land that was to be acquired for the project
for the project was revoked, the Divisional Secretariat at the time said.
Residents however claimed that since 1998-2009, 11 houses in the area had been acquired under emergency regulations and the compensation paid to the land owners. Many stated that even though they were informed of the start of the project in 2012, the initial work for the project began this year.
Residents complained that even though they had received notice from the Divisional Secretariat of the impending visit from the Surveyors Department, the Surveys had long been conducted when they received the letter.
Residents living down Robert Gunawardane Mawatha said they were not against the extension of the road, but they disapproved of the existent plans drawn by the government. They pointed out that an alternative plan, a cheaper one which acquired less land, was already approved but the authorities chose to follow a plan that would displace many in the area. The alternative, they argued, would ensure a vast sum of public funds will not be wasted on compensation.
The plans set out by the government have ensured that residents in the area have not received approvals to renovate their houses which are almost in a crumbling state. They stated that while many of them would be entitled for compensation if the plan was to be put into action, those living in illegal constructions would not receive anything.
“Even though there are illegal constructions in the area, these people have been living here for more than 50 years; so if our land is to be acquired we request that permanent housing be provided for these people as well, we don’t want to rent houses,” the residents said.
Meanwhile, Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat stated it was obliged to follow orders from superiors and could not stop acquiring the land earmarked for the project. RDA Additional Project Director, R.P.L.K Perera said he too was obliged to follow orders given by his superiors and he would continue the necessary work for the project.