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Ferry service from Fort to Union Place starts today

Opportunity will be provided for passengers to travel with zero-fare in first month

22 August 2019 09:00 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Luxury passenger ferry service from Colombo Fort to Union Place through the Beira Lake would be launched today under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development said.

The ferry service would commence from the Beira Lake near the Lake House and ends in the Vauxhall Street, Ibbanwala Junction.

With the launch of this service, it is possible to travel from Colombo Fort to Union Place in less than 10 minutes though it takes more time than that of road transportation in peak hours. The boat service has been identified as an ideal solution to ease traffic congestion.

This pilot project will be launched in line with the proposed inland water transport service.

Inland water transport system has been identified as a possible option to mitigate the traffic congestion in the Colombo region.

The Sri Lankan Navy is to provide necessary ferries to operate the service and rescue crew in the house.

The project is implemented under the guidance of Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and the supervision of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC).

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, a member of IWT Project Development Team Ranoshi Siripala (Ecologist) said there will be two ferries operating from Fort –Union Place, which will accommodate 50 passengers each. The opportunity will be provided for passengers to travel with zero-fare in the first month.

The ferries are available from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. in the entire week.

She said they were also hoping to introduce recreational opportunities while the passengers enjoy their journey.

“It should be noted that the water quality of Beire Lake is also getting better due to the continuous efforts that have been taken by SLLDC,” she added.

The final intention of these projects is to make Beire Lake as the finest tourist destination in the Colombo area.

Due to heavy traffic burdens on main road corridors within the Colombo Metropolitan Region, it has proposed to identify the potential uses of waterways which can be used as an inland water transport system.

The following three inland water transport lines have been identified by the Megapolis Transport Committee as potential routes,

1. Wellawatta –Battaramulla Line (IW1) approximately ten kilometres

2. Fort –Union Place (along Beire Lake) (IW2) two kilometres

3. Mattakkuliya –Hanwella (along Kelani River) (IW3)

When considering IW1 and IW3, the cost that had been estimated for ferries, was considerably higher than the IW2 in terms of their distance. Thus, Fort to Union Place via Beira Lake service would be implemented as a pilot project for two years after which the implementation of other projects under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model will be considered. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

 

Video by Suranjith


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  Comments - 22

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  • Karu Thursday, 22 August 2019 09:45 AM

    These guys are joking. It's just a walking distance. Comis in the Kamiz

    Dee Thursday, 22 August 2019 09:57 AM

    @Karu. Why don't you try walking? Our people can't walk 1/2 a km. They complain of no money but pay 50/- for a junction 3 wheeler for 1/2 a km

    SL Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:00 AM

    Its very encouraging to see that our people's representatives looking at creative options to beat the traffic. but yet again being unrealistic about a walking distance service to gauge a bigger requirement of the country is STUPID!

    Yasas Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:03 AM

    Untill the elections are over.

    daskon Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:12 AM

    This type of solutions is quite efficient to overcome growing traffic congestion. Someone who thought at least to develop the nation, because there are many people out there only think about political rewards. It's a good beginning.

    Gayan Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:22 AM

    4 years development culminating with a ferry boat.

    N.P Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:52 AM

    These politicians thinks that we are damn fools....

    Sammy Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:54 AM

    Not a big distance but may ease road traffic congestion. Let's see.

    max Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:01 AM

    Should not you invite to the one who initiate this project as well Mr. Minister? But cant expect because this is Sri Lanka noh?

    Blackwater Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:06 AM

    This is the politicians make their money

    Sunil Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:19 AM

    Congratulations. Dubai has a similar ferry service for ordinary public as well as for tourists. Step in the right direction to promote tourism and gain forex.

    ashan bandaranayeke Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:25 AM

    After two years! What sort of pilot project is that. Honestly like the democratic values of this government, but the speed of development is a joke.

    Dr. P tilakawardene Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:25 AM

    Re female sterilization at Kurunegala hospital I'm a retired Consultant Obstetric Anaesthetist.and ,have worked for 45 years as a doctor of which nearly 35 yr.as an anaesthetist both in Sri Lanka and abroad I like to add some observations re. Dr. Shafi's incident at K'gala teaching hospital. 1. All junior doctors must be supervised at work by a Senior dr. 2. All juniors are allocated to a dept. And the Consultant in charge is responsible for juniors supervision. 3. If a junior dr. is working in op.theatres , the consultant whom under the pt. is admitted is responsible for everything clinically that happened to the pt. 4 In a teaching hospital to the consultant whom under junior work is responsible for his work. 5. Caesarian section - Only a senior registrar or above is allowed to do this op. Without supervision .6 If a junior dr. below SR grade does this op. A CONSULTANT OR A SR.must be physically present in the Op. Theatre. 7.A n experienced nurse must lead the theatre He

    Afi_Musings Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:27 AM

    Can we start another one from Parliament to Angoda?

    Shohan Fernando Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:44 AM

    Great at last good project to overcome the traffic issue.

    johan Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:53 AM

    They must also organise lots of protests in Lake House roundabouts then this service will be useful

    xlntgson Thursday, 22 August 2019 11:58 AM

    Pleasure ride if not stinking sewage

    Buruwa Thursday, 22 August 2019 12:01 PM

    Are these ferries insured to transport passengers , life bets or rings provided ?

    Anonymous Thursday, 22 August 2019 12:36 PM

    “A developed country is not when the poor have cars. It is when the rich use public transportation.” Gustavo Petro The government should improve public transportation especially buses. The buses in Sri-Lanka are very filthy and packed so much that even the common man does not like to travel in it. Invest in buses and rules like only can load upto full seat capacity, bus conductors fill up the bus so much that passengers end up hanging like monkeys on the footboard. If this is done properly no need of all of this.

    ram Thursday, 22 August 2019 12:55 PM

    same service was lounged from wellawatte to nawala and dropped off within few months. waste of public money. should do someghing to take long distance like colombo harbour to ratmalana. panandura kalutara etc with high speed ships

    Anil Panagoda Thursday, 22 August 2019 01:05 PM

    I think its a good move , due to the continuous increase of road traffic. We need to make use of our waterways like the other countries. No matter what the negative comments are - this is the right way to improve our logistics industry.

    KMJ Thursday, 22 August 2019 02:27 PM

    This is actually a good start. During rush hour It can take about 30 minutes to reach union place and over 1 hour to reach Battaramulla. Sri Lankan waterways are under utilized anyways.


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