Johnston opens newly developed 86.7km stretch of highway from Bibile to Chenkalady

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday opened the newly rehabilaited 86.7 km stretch of highway from Bibile to Chenkalady.

The project is considered a majorster to the economy as it provides people easy access to markets and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals and reducing the travel time due to the reduction of traffic congestion and ultimately reducing the travel cost benefiting passengers and industries. The feasibility study of the project to develop this stretch of the A5 main road to a two-lane highway commenced in 2014. The A5 highway from Peradeniya, Badulla to Chenkalady is 275 km long. Development and upgrading the road had been done in three phases by two construction companies. The first phase covered the development of a 29 km stretch from Bibile to Padiyatalawa, The 30 km stretch from Padiyatalawa to Tempitiya was covered by the second phase. Under the third phase of the project a 27.7 km stretch of road from Tempitiya to Chenkalady was upgraded. Upgrading the 86.7 km long road from Bibile to Chenkalady cost Rs 7,200 million. The Saudi Fund for Development assisted the Lankan government in covering the cost.

A sum of Rs 12.4 million had been paid as compensation for the loss of lands of people in Bibile, Rideemaliyadda, Padiyatalawa and Mahaoya divisional secretariat areas because of the project.

Among those present were State Minister of Backward Rural Areas Development and Promotion of Domestic Animal Husbandry and Minor Economic Crop Cultivation, S Viyalendran, CEO of Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Bin Abdul Rahim Al-Marshad, politicians of the district, and officials led by Secretary to the Ministry of Highways RWR Pemasiri.