News
Pipe laying leads to impassable roads
View(s):By Rekha Tharanganie Fonseka
Residents of Ratmalana complain that several roads in the area have become nearly impassable due to deep trenches dug for long-delayed water supply projects being left unrestored for years.
Despite repeated written and verbal complaints to the authorities, the dug-up roads and half-finished work remain untouched, residents told the Sunday Times.
They also claim that metal pipes laid along the project route have been left exposed, posing serious hazards to motorists and pedestrians alike. Locals warn that even a minor mishap could easily turn fatal given the poor state of the roads.
With the onset of heavy rains, the situation has worsened, with several by-roads turning muddy and treacherous.
A number of unsafe, dug-up roads along Ratmalana’s Silvester Road, Badowita and Kawdana, where open trenches left unattended were observed. In several locations, even routes used by schoolchildren were obstructed, while vehicle movement has been severely disrupted.
National Water Supply and Drainage Board Project Director Kaushalya Kuruppu said the ongoing work was part of a French-funded deep pipeline project, unlike standard pipe-laying operations that require shallower excavation.
“The project involves laying pipelines over a distance of 42 kilometres,” he said, adding that at the start, all roads were excavated simultaneously as part of the initial plan – a decision he admitted was “not entirely successful.”
Mr Kuruppu said the project’s shortcomings have since been identified, and inspections have been carried out in several key locations including Badowita and Ratmalana’s First and Second Lanes.
“Out of the total 42 kilometres planned, 20 kilometres have been completed so far, with another 22 kilometres remaining,” he said. He also noted that due to complications with the French funding, the Treasury has now allocated local funds to complete the remaining work. “We expect the pipeline installation to be completed by December next year,” he assured.
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