Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana made a special visit to inspect the resumption of the construction of the flyover at the Kohuwala junction which is currently in its final phase.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that the construction of the Kohuwala flyover, which was started in 2021 as a solution to the heavy traffic in and around the Kohuwala junction, had to be stopped in 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent situation that arose in the country. Even though, a large percentage of the construction of the entire flyover had been completed, this project was stopped due to not settling the loan provided by the Hungarian government. However, steps have now been taken to complete the construction of this bridge, which is 300 metres long and 9.2 metres wide, based on the funds of its local contractor.
The Hungarian government had given a loan of Euro 50 million for the two flyovers projects in Kohuwala and Gatambe, but had decided to suspend the release of the money due to non-payment of the loan, the Minister said.
Currently, the President, the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank and other foreign countries have entered into decisive final negotiations on the repayment of the loan, so the Hungarian government is using the money of the local contractor to finish the remaining construction work after signing the loan repayment agreement, the Minister said.
Accordingly, the construction of the final phase of the flyover has been restarted since yesterday and it is expected to be completed within the next three months, Minister Dr. Gunawardhana said.
Irangika Range