(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Sri Lanka’s first ever first multimodal transport center constructed at Makumbura in Kottawa, a suburb of the capital Colombo close to the Southern Expressway was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena.
The first ever multi-mode transport center was constructed in compliance with international standards at a cost of Rs. 2 billion with the financial assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Expressing his views at the opening, the President said the public who use these modern facilities have a huge responsibility to maintain them as well as the state officials who are in charge of the management.
The President pointed out that failure to maintain new establishments after opening and tendency to steal public property are major problems in the development of the country.
“Every person in the country from the state official to the common citizen should be honest and committed to protect and maintain the public property for the development of the country,” he said.
The center, built using smart technology, provides integrated bus and train services to the public. It connects the High Level Road, Kelani Valley railway Line and Southern Expressway.
Highway buses commenced from Maharagama and Kottawa will meet travelling through the center. The bus stand and the railway station will be connected via an overhead bridge. Passengers traveling by highway buses can interchange to a railway line or city busses at the center. They will be able to obtain bus and train services using one ticket.
Motorists travelling on highway can park their vehicles at the center and use public transportation to the city. Space has been provided to park vehicles safely.
The main target of the project is to provide a solution to the traffic congestion in the capital Colombo city and the suburbs. People will be able to reduce their travelling time due to the new center.
The Center consists of two Railway and Bus Terminals and car parks, banks, restaurants and sanitary facilities. It is of significance that electricity is provided to the multimodal hub through solar power.
Passengers are informed on the locations of busses and trains at any moment through GPS technology. The online booking of tickets, for trains and buses can be made in one ticket.
The Multimodal Transport Center is a new development concept in Sri Lanka and the project is implemented under the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development.
Plans have been made to build similar Transport Centers in Pettah, Kandy, and Battaramulla. The Center at Kottawa was constructed as the model transport center.
Ministers Arjuna Ranatunga, Patali Champika Ranawaka, State Minister Eran Wickramaratne were also present at the occasion.
