Construction work on the Kandy–Gatambe Flyover, which had been stalled for several years, was officially resumed this afternoon (06) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The project, which commenced in 2021 with loan assistance from the Government of Hungary, was originally estimated to cost Rs. 14.37 billion. However, amid the recent economic crisis, Hungarian loan assistance was suspended, resulting in the suspension of construction work on the flyover.

Accordingly, construction has now recommenced using domestic funds amounting to Rs. 12.27 billion, with plans in place to complete the project within 22 months.

The flyover is being constructed along William Gopallawa Mawatha, commencing from the southern bank of the Mahaweli River on the Gannoruwa Road and extending over the Gatambe junction and the railway line. The main flyover will have a total length of 374 metres and will be constructed as a dual-carriageway up to the railway line.

An auxiliary flyover being constructed from the Peradeniya side will connect to the main flyover above the railway line and link with William Gopallawa Mawatha as a three-lane carriageway. This auxiliary flyover will be 172 metres in length and 6.5 metres in width. Once completed, it will allow vehicles travelling from Kandy to Peradeniya along William Gopallawa Mawatha to proceed without being delayed at the railway crossing.

The width of the dual-lane section of the main flyover will be 9.4 metres, while the three-lane section will have a width of 12.9 metres.

During the event, the President inspected the project plans and held a brief discussion with project officials.

Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake; Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena; Central Province Governor Professor S.B.S. Abeykoon; Kandy District Member of Parliament Thanura Dissanayake; along with other public representatives, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte, and senior officials of the Road Development Authority were present on the occasion.

President’s Media Division (PMD)