UDA reactivates Solid Waste Management Project at Aruwakkalu

The Urban Development Authority has reactivated the Solid Waste Management Project at Aruwakkalu disposal site for the Capital City of Colombo. The total investment for this would be USD 130 million.

Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunge said that this time the project would be implemented next year under private partnership project and the cabinet has also approved his project proposal forwarded in this regard. The construction work of the project is scheduled to be completed on March 31 next year.

The contractors have agreed to immediately start training project operators needed for this and they would be provided three months training. Over 1,200 tonnes of garbage deposited per day from the City of Colombo would be processed at the site. With the 2024 budget allocating Rs. 550 million the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing will start clearing abandoned limestone pits and also constructing other facilities including a sanitary garbage dump and a waste treatment system in this area under this project.

In parallel to this the construction of two garbage transfer centers in Kelaniya and Puttalam will be initiated and a related railway infrastructure and road system too would be carried out under this scheme. Four railway engines have been already imported to transport garbage by rail from Kelaniya Exchange Centre to Aravakkalu Garbage Exchange Centre. The Department of Railways has been provided to use the engines for passenger transportation temporarily until the operation of the project begins. A total of 94 containers have also been purchased for transportation of garbage. Sri Lanka Railways has submitted an estimate of Rs. 549.06 million for repairing and providing 17 rail wagons required for transportation of garbage from Kelaniya to Aravakkalu. “Cabinet approval will be obtained to provide the amount.”

Minister Ranatunga said the Department of Railways has also agreed to provide the railway tracks currently under the operational level of the Department of Railways for the operation of the project until the repair works are carried out. The Minister said that the local people continue to oppose the construction of a rainwater system in Aruwakkalu. “We will take possible steps to resolve the issue in consultation with the protesters.”

He pointed out that it is the policy of the government to take into account the views of the people while implementing the project.

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