Govt to embark on extension of Marine Drive from Dehiwala to Panadura

A group of experts of the Moratuwa University commissioned by the Ministry of Highways have completed a feasibility study for the construction of the planned extension of the Marine Drive from Dehiwala Railway station to Panadura, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said on Friday.

He said that the construction work of the extension with a length of 17 km would be commenced immediately. It had been estimated that the project would cost 38 billion rupees. A sum of Rs 21 billion had been allocated to pay compensation to those who lose their lands and property because of the construction of the new stretch of the Marine Drive, the minister said.

He said that the Marine Drive has been identified as the main alternative solution to minimize the traffic congestion on Colombo-Galle Highway and the work on the Marine Drive so far had been completed in six stages.

He said that thus stages of the Marine Drive from the Ramakrishna Road to Melbourne Avenue, from the Melbourne Avenue to Glen Arbour Place, from Glen Arbour Place to Kollupitiya Railway Station Road, from Ramakrishna Road to Frazer Avenue, from Kollupitiya Station Road to Ranmuthu Hotel and from Frazer Avenue to the Dehiwala Railway Station had been completed.