The Road Development Authority (RDA) said yesterday the Marine Drive would be extended up to the Port in Fort and up to Station Road in Dehiwela. The RDA said planning had been completed and it was in the process of acquiring the necessary lands and marking the boundaries. RDA Project Director K.Selvanathan said construction work would begin next year extended 650 meters from the Kollupitiya Junction onward.
“The Valuation Department is currently evaluating the properties that are to be acquired with the owners being compensated later,” he said, Mr.Selvanathan said even though the initial plan had been to extend the Marine Drive up to Ranmuthu Hotel; it would be extended to the Port under the second phase of the project. Mr.Selvanathan said construction of the road was set to begin soon with the acquisition of land. “The stretch to Frazer Avenue is 200 meters long,” he said adding that the delay was due to the hesitancy of several residents to leave their homes.
“The fact that some houses have several owners is also causing a few complication and some don’t have the necessary documents,” Mr.Selcanathan said. He said the Colombo Municipal Council and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) have been informed of the situation and the UDA has provided alternative housing for those displaced from Wellwatte during the early stages of the extension project. The land acquisition-related activities are coordinated by the Dehiwela Assistant Government Agent (AGA) Division. Mr.Selvanathan said preparations were underway to extend the Marine Drive from Frazer Avenue up to Station Road in Dehiwela.
Source : Daily mirror (05/12/2013)
