Kandy one way traffic scheme halted in face of opposition

The one way traffic scheme which was implemented on a trial basis in Kandy has been abandoned after Police found that it was impractical to implement it, a senior officer said.

Police Superintendent Chaminda Daya Illangakoon said that before the one way system is implemented some of the roads in the city would have to be broadened. “The scheme has been scrapped for the moment until discussions are held on how best to relieve the flow of traffic for the benefit of the people," he said.

Meanwhile it is learnt that the Kandy Municipal

Councillors have requested a special meeting on March

12 to discuss the traffic issue.

The Sunday

Times learns that

Minister and

Leader of the

House Lakshman

Kiriella had instructed Kandy

Mayor Kesera

Senananayke to halt the one way traffic scheme adding that Kandy

Municipality should be the sole authority for any traffic plans in Kandy.

Under the one way system vehicles entering the town from Peradeniya end were expected to take the William Gopallawa Mawatha from the Getambe junction while vehicles leaving the town had to take the Peradeniya road from the clock tower junction.

However, there was opposition to the scheme mainly as schoolchildren travelling to school in the morning were forced to get off on the Willam Gopallawa Mawatha and walk about a kilometre to reach their schools after crossing the Kandy – Colombo main railway line.

There are over 10 schools located between the Getambe junction and Kandy town.

Traders had also protested against the proposed scheme.

The scheme has been scrapped for the moment until discussions are held on how best to relieve the flow of traffic for the benefit of the people,