RDA Launches Road Safety Upgrade programme on Ella-Wellawaya Road

Around 10 locations along the Ella-Wellawaya road, between Ella and Ravana Ella Falls need repairs, Road Development Authority (RDA) said yesterday.   
 According to executive Engineer S. S. Hennayake a special study has been launched to assess these locations, while groundwork has already begun at sites that require urgent repairs.  
 The RDA says, a 26-kilometre stretch of road will be renovated and upgraded under this programme.  
 The Rs. 700 million allocation for accident prevention in the Badulla district is being utilized for this purpose.  
This programme is launched in addition to a long-term solution to enhance road safety, under which the Ministry has decided to establish transport safety committees at the local level. These committees will conduct safety assessments and submit proposals to improve road infrastructure, particularly in mountainous districts.  
“This initiative is being launched in the Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Galle, and Matara Districts, where many roads run along steep slopes.  
The committees will include Divisional Secretariat officials, Road Development Authority (RDA) engineers, SLTB depot heads, and representatives from three-wheeler and school van associations. The Ministry plans to evaluate the proposals and implement the most effective ones within set deadlines