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Work on 700 rural bridges on track 

08 Aug 2021

Development work on 700 of 1,000 rural bridges scheduled for completion by the end of this year is underway as plannedA despite the pandemic, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said on Saturday (7), according to a media release. Speaking to the media at his ministry after a meeting to review progress of the construction of 5,000 rural bridges within the next four years, as per President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” vision statement, the Minister had said that the development was well underway in line with original plans, despite the disruption caused by the pandemic. Accordingly, he had noted, the construction of 1,000 bridges in rural areas would be completed by the end of this year in line with the Government's plans, with the goal of eradicating rural poverty by enhancing connectivity between villages and main cities. The work, commenced as per the instructions of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and under the supervision of Presidential Special Task Force on Economic Renewal and Poverty Alleviation Head Basil Rajapaksa, would continue in all electorates of the country, he had assured.  “The new bridges will replace the dilapidated makeshift bridges in rural areas, which are unstable. These low-cost concrete bridges will be an alternative to the makeshift wooden bridges. With the implementation of this project, the main road network will be connected to the rural roads facilitating the day-to-day activities of the rural people. Their livelihoods will be improved while promoting the tourism industry as well,” the Minister had said.


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