Work on Kottawa Bus Depot at a standstill

The construction of the Kottawa bus depot has been limited to the foundation stone that was laid more than 20 years ago, passengers using the public transportation in the area said.

Residents in the area said that construction had re-started about a year and a half ago under the new government, but said the changes in the land were almost imperceptible.

The project had been commenced by the then Minister of Urban Development Indika Gunawardena. Despite the ground, which then came under the purview of the Homagama Pradeshiya Saba, being cleared out and a foundation stone laying ceremony held, nothing had been constructed in the chosen land, residents said. Once construction was halted, the tug-of-war between the Western Provincial Council (WPC) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) had ensured the project remained stagnant thereafter.

While the tug of war finally came to an end in 2014 and Rs. 60 million was allocated for the project, residents said that only the ground work was completed for two years thereafter.

Residents claimed the site had resembled a hive of activity in 2015, when the present government came into power and the project was resumed with much energy. However, work was halted several months after, ensuring the land returned to its original status of a swamp during the Rs. 60 million was allocated for the project, residents said that only the ground work was completed for two years thereafter monsoon and a dust desert during the dry season.

Bus drivers and conductors said they have waited long for the bus depot in Kottawa to be constructed. “Only the roads get developed here, we don’t have a place to stop the bus and clean it or even rest during our breaks. The area turns into a large swamp when it rains or there is so much dust and sand when the sun is out,” they said.

When the Western Province Road Passenger Service Authority was contacted for inquiries into the project, its Chairman Thusitha Kularathna said the project could not be completed or continued as funds were yet to be allocated for the project.