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More vehicles, less roads

By Shezna Shums

With Colombo's streets fast nearing maximum vehicle capacity, an average of more than 400 vehicles are being registered each day by the Department of Motor Traffic.

According to Deputy Additional Commissioner of Motor Traffic, W. Kodithuwakku, the majority of vehicles seeking registration comprise of trishaws and motorcycles. The balance mostly consists of reconditioned vehicles.

He added that the number of registered motor vehicles have increased when compared with last year. "There were only about 300 vehicles registered daily, but today it is more than 400 a day," he said.

These newly registered vehicles are likely to be used in towns like Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle and Gampaha.

While the volume of vehicles is on the increase, what concerns the Deputy Additional Commissioner is the lack of infrastructure. "The roads, in addition to being narrow are also neglected," he noted.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, DIG Traffic, Daya Jayasundara confirmed that a huge number of vehicles are registered daily.

Jayasundara said that the fines for traffic offences were being implemented, adding, "the number of fatal accidents have gone down, but the number of other accidents certainly have not."

Identifying a need for improved road infrastructure, he said that better roads are a necessity to reduce accidents. "Roads and the railways should be improved. If there is better public transport, the public is less likely to commute to cities in their private vehicles," he stressed.

DIG Jayasundara also noted that more trains, especially during peak hours and at crucial stations like Fort and Maradana could also have a beneficial effect.

"Even the containers that are taken to the Colombo Port to move cargo should have alternatives such as rail transportation facilities."

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