Kandy underground tunnel project back on the cards

The construction of an underground tunnel from Suduhumpola to Tennekumbura is once again on the cards, said RDA Director W. A. Gunasinghe at a Kandy district committee meeting.

The proposal for a tunnel had come up several times, first by the former Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella and later on by ministers in charge of this area.

The project was put on hold due to protests, with some of the protestors citing the Uma Oya project issue as an example.

However, at the meeting officials from the RDA said their plans for the tunnel include four openings on a dual-track; one from Digana to Suduhumpola (900m), one from Suduhumpola to Bogambara (660m), one from Bogambara to Ratubokuwa (1120m) and one from Ratubokuwa to Ampitiya and then to Tennekumbura (1680m).

Mr. Gunasinghe said the work on the tunnel is to begin next year and end in 2026.