Artificial beach to open in August
The artificial beach and public area of the Port City Colombo (PCC) would be opened in August enabling the public to enjoy the ‘first fruits’ of the mega project.
This area would be linked to Galle Face via a foot bride enabling people to enjoy the public beach of the Colombo Port city. The artificial beach would be 1.5 km in length and around 50 meters in width said Head of Environmental Management Plan Team for Port City Colombo W. A. D. D. Wijesooriya. (Pictured)
“Due to the breakwater in front of the artificial beach the sea area would have ‘calm water’ and suitable for bathing opening up a new entertainment area for Colombo.”
The yacht marina area has entered its final stage of creation and this will provide attractive water sports opportunities in Colombo in the future.
He said that the construction of the Central Park which is a green area similar to (Vihara Maha Devi Park) is also being executed and when completed it will be five times the size of Galle Face and it will be opened to the public free of charge. “This too would add another Green area to Sri Lanka displaying PCC’s commitment towards the environment.”
“The central park will also see a canal flowing adjoining it and this will help to create a Blue Green environment.”
He also said that for the first time in Sri Lanka all utility lines such as telecommunication, electricity, gas and water would be taken in a huge drain where even people can walk. “Hence whenever there is a repair the ground doesn’t have to be digged and technicians can walk to the damaged site though several designated openings.”
Commenting on the environment impact of the PCC he said there were none. “Similar projects have been built in Dubai, Netherland and Singapore and Hong Kong and there were no environmental issues.”
The project was done after a detailed environmental impact assessment and is carried out in a completely sustainable manner at distances of over 7 km from the shoreline, and at depths of 15 m or more. The dredging has no impact on coastal erosion or fisher livelihoods”.
Spanning 269 hectares, PCC is built with an initial investment of US$ 1.4 billion and an expected US$ 15 billion overall investment when completed. PCC is made up of five different precincts, Financial District, Central Park Living, Island Living, Marina and the International Island.
He said sustainable methods would also be used to manage PCC.
These include, smart metering and building, digital citizen ID, food traceability, renewable energy and management, ubiquitous Wi-Fi, smart waste management, smart water system, smart parking and security and paperless city administration. (Source -Daily News)