The construction of a 15.8 km Light Rail Transit (LRT) track between the Colombo Fort area and Malabe has not been cancelled but it’s under review, said State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness., Dr. Nalaka Godahewa.
He said that when they studied the report it was found out that the one lane to be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan was too expensive and hence that part from the project was removed. “We anticipate that with the devaluation of the rupee this loan amount will further increase.”
He disclosed that a one kilometer stretch to be built by JICA funding costs over USD 2 billion as against USD 400 for the other three lanes.
“However the remaining part of the plan to construct the LRT is still on and we are having a meeting with the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who is the subject minister of this to obtain further instructions.
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