What has happened to my dear Kandy?
To get a true picture of this city one has to walk along its streets as most budget tourists do. Kandy which we all are so proud of needs urgent attention of the authorities to rectify the disgraceful state of certain areas in the city.
Born in Kandy and leaving the city half a century ago, I had the occasion to stroll along Peradeniya Road from close to the Regal cinema up to the Halloluwa Road junction during the Vesak weekend. Although I have visited Kandy on many occasions by car after graduating from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, in 1968, I never observed the appalling and horrendous state of this once beautiful city. The intention of writing this is to suggest remedial measures.
Most sections along the road from Peradeniya to Kandy have barely enough space for two buses to pass. There are no pavements. The only space for pedestrians is the 2’x 2’cement slabs that have been placed over the drains by the road. Pedestrians run the risk of falling on these or falling into the drain, where the slabs are broken or missing. They are compelled to step on to the road taking the risk of being knocked down by passing vehicles.
Some suggestions that may be implemented without high capital investments:
One way streams: One way streams for inbound traffic from Getambe roundabout, (near Gannoruwa) up to the Kandy clock-tower and for outbound traffic, from Kandy railway station towards Peradeniya, along the William Gopallawa Road are proposed, taking an example from Colombo: Bambalapitiya-Kollupitiya Galle Road stretch for inbound traffic and R.A De Mel Mawatha for outbound traffic. A few wide intersections across the railway line would be required to streamline the proposed one-way streams in Kandy.
Construction of proper pavements along city roads: As the majority of the road users in the city of Kandy are pedestrians, there is an urgent need for properly constructed elevated pavements. Broadening the pavements upto the solid white line that demarcates the edge of the road would result in motorists keeping to their motoring lanes.
Creating ‘Green belts’and pedestrianized streets: Where space is available, shade trees that bring shade should be planted on either side of the road.
Most streets in the city centre are too narrow to access by car. Creating pedestrian areas would make the central area of the city attractive. Areas near the shrines and shops could be pedestrianized with a few multi-storey car parking facilities adjacent to the city coupled with a bus service linking the city.
Construct public amenities: Vacant land or unoccupied buildings in Kandy could be acquired by responsible authorities to make car parks, public toilets and children’s parks for the benefit of the general public.
Unprotected alleyways: There are several unprotected areas in Kandy. One such path that links the Peradeniya Upper Road with the lower road near Halloluwa junction is a virtual death-trap. All that is needed is a protective railing.
Properly constructed overhead bridges: There is an urgent need to clean-up the existing overhead bridges and ensure proper hygienic standards are maintained. The overhead bridges across the Peradeniya Road are in a poor state. User friendly overhead bridges need to be constructed, like the newly constructed overhead bridge near the Panadura clock-tower, which is even equipped with escalators and a hood.
Alternate routes: There are several recently constructed roads and bridges linking the city with its outskirts, but these seem to be under-utilised. For example the new road linking Gannoruwa with Katugastota via Dodanwela could be a bypass to reach Katukele avoiding the Peradeniya Road, but one sees the signposts to these turns only after reaching the turning point. Prominent notices should be displayed on the availability of alternate routes well ahead.
It is hoped that some, if not all of these suggestions would be implemented as early as possible that could make Kandy a better place to live in and visit.
T.S.A. De Silva Dehiwala