23 UDA projects halted 11 worth Rs. 56,388 Mn due to institutional issues

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development has revealed that 23 projects initiated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and funded by the government are currently halted. Among these projects, 11 have been stopped due to issues between the institutions involved.

 

 

The committee highlighted that the lack of proper cooperation or agreement between relevant institutions is the main reason for these projects facing difficulties and financial constraints.

 

 

During the committee meeting chaired by Ajith Mannapperuma, it was disclosed that an estimated amount of Rs. 56,388 million is required to complete the 11 projects halted due to inter-institutional issues. The UDA has already spent Rs. 2,531 million, and there are outstanding bills for further payment. Completing the projects would require an additional amount of Rs. 56,999 million.

 

 

The projects that have been affected include the construction of the new access road from Kottawa to Mahenawatta, the development of the Alawwa Town road widening, the construction of the entrance to Yakkala from the Gampaha Highway, the expansion of Imaduwa Town, and the construction of low-income houses in Beruwanawatta, Eheliyagoda.

 

 

The UDA officials stated that the new access road project from Kottawa to Mahenawatta can be handed over to the Road Development Authority (RDA) for completion once the remaining issues with the Homagama Divisional Secretary are resolved. 

 

 

The construction of 34 low-income houses in Beruwanawatta, Eheliyagoda, has been halted due to problems obtaining electricity and water supplies. 

 

 

The committee instructed the relevant authorities to resolve these issues with the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Ratnapura District Community Water Supply Department and resolve ownership issues of the land between the Railways Department and the RDA.

 

 

The committee emphasized that the lack of proper cooperation or agreement between institutions is the leading cause of project delays. It recommended conducting a preliminary analysis regarding the social, economic, and environmental impacts before initiating projects with limited resources and that the most beneficial and essential approach should be followed.