Colombo Port City
| Colombo Port City | |
|---|---|
|
An artist’s impression of the port city at Galle Face | |
  Colombo Port City A map showing where the Colombo Port City will be built. | |
| Coordinates: 06°56′00″N 79°50′00″E / 6.93333°N 79.83333°ECoordinates: 06°56′00″N 79°50′00″E / 6.93333°N 79.83333°E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| City | Colombo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.33 km2 (0.90 sq mi) |
| Time zone | Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+05:30) |
Colombo Port City is a planned offshore city in Colombo, Sri Lanka which is to be built on reclaimed land adjacent to the Galle Face Green. The city will use construction resources from the Colombo Harbour Expansion Project, currently under construction near the site of this proposed city.[1][2]
The New Port City is a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was apparently inspired while inspecting the landfill being constructed for the Colombo South port.[3]
Geography
The Port city is to be constructed between the southern edge of the new Colombo South Port and the Fort Lighthouse. The total area of sea to be reclaimed is 450 acres.[3]
Construction
The construction was set to begin in March 2011 but due to several circumstances the project was stopped. In mid 2012, the Sri Lankan Port Authority, better known as SLPA, announced that the construction of the Colombo Port City project would commence on 17 September 2014. The budget is estimated to be US$1.5 billion.[4]
The reclamation will be carried out by China Harbor Engineering Corporation, who has been engaged by the investor. The balance will be sold on 99-year leases to potential investors.
The construction of the proposed port city is expected to be completed in 39 months, after commencement of works in September 2014.[5]
According to sources, the project will approximately reclaim around 230 hectares which will be funded by a foreign investor. The plan has been given approval by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Review Committee (SCARC) and the port city will include roads, water, electricity, communication facilities to set up shopping areas, water sports area, mini golf course, hotels, apartments, recreation areas and marinas.
Master Divers was given the contract to forward a soil report for this project which in turn was handed over to the Chinese company to go ahead with construction. Chairman of Master Divers, Ariyaseela Wickramanayake said that they had conducted underwater surveys and other tests to identify the site for the project and the construction of the artificial island had begun.[6]
Construction of the Colombo Port City project was launched on 17 September 2014 by Sri-Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha and the Chinese President Xi Jinping.[7]
Infrastructure
Formula One track
The New Port City is to include a new Formula One track, constructed in the vicinity of the Colombo Harbour. According to Dr. Priyath Wickrama, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, says an F1 track will “definitely” be a part of the New Port City. The circuit is to be located in the city whilst allowing for maximum leeway for commercial activities.[3]
Controversy
The port city has been criticized for several reasons. Many environmentalists claim that the port city contain many environmental hazards and the adverse environmental impacts the project will cause would be far more than the economic benefits it may have to offer.[8] Maritime sector veterans also pointed out the dangers Sri Lanka may face due to giving outright ownership of land to China specially in a high-security zone and concerns about its effects on Sri Lanka's sovereignty has also been expressed.The project was also criticized for its lack of transparency and irregularities such as the involvement of SLPA which is implementing the reclamation project, had no mandate to do so as it's mandate is to deal with ports and shipping.[9][10]
The Opposition has been against the project and the opposition leader even said that they will scrap the project if the opposition wins the 2015 presidential elections.[11] However, when the opposition won the elections the Port City was only suspended until a proper environmental assessment is done and plans to restart the project after a new more transparent and beneficial agreement is signed.[12]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ "Hydraulic experts endorse feasibility of Galle Face Commercial City". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- ↑ "Port City". Lankabusinessonline.com. 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- 1 2 3 "Formula One Track To Be Built On Planned ‘New Port City’ Colombo". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- ↑ Gamini Gunaratna, Sri Lanka News Paper by LankaPage.com (LLC)- Latest Hot News from Sri Lanka (2012-07-30). "Construction of Sri Lanka's port city to begin later this year". Colombopage.com. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- ↑ by Redbulls on Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:34 pm (2012-07-10). "Sri Lanka targets US$15bn into Colombo 'Port City'". Forum.srilankaequity.com. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- ↑ Thursday, January 16, 2014 (All day) (2014-01-16). "Historic artificial island project begins". Dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
- ↑ http://www.news.lk/news/business/item/2987-colombo-port-city-project-will-be-launched-today
- ↑ "Ceylon Today | Port City Project Environmental Time Bomb? 1.4 billion US dollar investment". www.ceylontoday.lk. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ↑ "Outright land ownership to China at Port City dangerous, points out maritime sector veteran: Interview | Adaderana Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News". bizenglish.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ↑ "economynext.com". www.economynext.com. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ↑ "Dailymirror -"Colombo Port City will be scrapped: Ranil"". 2014-12-16. Retrieved 2014-12-17.
- ↑ "Port city project will resume under new agreement". colombogazette. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
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