Chaotic bus terminal gives way to Kandy transport plan
Kandy’s polluted, chaotic, and ill- conceived street- side Goods Shed bus terminal, which is near the railway station, will soon be demolished to pave way for a project that aims to integrate bus and rail transport.
Government officials are asking the public for their patience as the heavily- used inter- provincial bus terminal will be moved to another location and they are promising a “transport hub’’.
Studies as far back as 2011, commissioned by the Road Development Authority have described Kandy’s three main bus terminals as a “disgrace’’. The Bogambara bus park was called an “eyesore’’. A study undertaken as a part of the “Strategic Cities Development Project’’ proposed bypasses, or alternative routes, as well as pedestrian paths to help ease traffic congestion.
Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said that shifting of the Goods Shed bus terminus is imminent and a trial run would be held on Wednesday.
The Bogambara temporary bus stop would be renovated to accommodate buses relocating from the Goods Shed terminus.
The whole project to integrate Kandy’s transport is being undertaken by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development.
Bypasses will be necessary to tackle Kandy’s traffic congestion, the Minister of Megapolis Patali Champika Ranawaka said at a meeting with professionals themed ‘mega mind’ held at Hotel Grand.
The highway to Kandy would be halted at Galagedara and a four- lane roadway would be built, he said.
He said ways and means have to be found to divert traffic at Katugastota and Tennekumbura. These are just two of the entry points to Kandy.
Buses would have to stop at points outside Kandy city and a bus service within Kandy would be developed.
Already certain locations have been earmarked for buses so that they could have their turns originating from these points. There would be about 85 points where buses would stop. There are nearly 500 buses operating every day and most would have to use the designated places to pick up commuters within five minutes.
The ideas for integrating Kandy’s transport had been mapped out by General Ratwatte in the 1970s and he ordered the demolition of the Boy Scout Headquarters at Bogambara. The group was later given a site in Pallekelle.
A bridge was planned from the Bogambara bus stop to the Goods Shed terminus. But the plans were shelved following the Tamil terrorist bomb attack on Kandy. The ideas were later revived by the Megapolis Ministry.