20-acre multimodal transport hub in Pettah

A multimodal transport hub is to be set up in Pettah and the contract to design it has been given to a French company, a top official said.

Megapolis and Western Development Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said a French-Government-funded feasibility study would be carried out to identify more than 20 acres of land to set up the project.

The transport hub would include trains, buses, monorails and an elevated highway.

The feasibility study is being carried out by the well known French company AREP which has undertaken several international projects.

In addition to the land available in the Central Bus Stand area, he said lands around the Chalmers Granary the land opposite the Fort Railway station, a section of the wholesale market area would also be required for the project.

The Secretary said the ministry hoped the study could be completed by the end of the year and the project launched early next year. Bids would be called for Public Private partnership (PPP).

Project Director P. M. T. H. Kaushal Fernando said one of the main aims was to reduce traffic congestion which was expected to rise with the development of the Port City and other projects.

There would be new parking areas at Mutwal for public transport. A container park would be set up at Peliyagoda.