The study of the feasibility of water transportation in Colombo metropolitan region

Abstract

The rich history of water- based transportation that existed in the past in the country has diminished over the years. The waterways that were used mainly for freight transportation are neglected and under utilized. Thus a transport infrastructure, which is readily available for use is an asset for the transport planners, searching for alternatives to ease the ever-increasing congestion on roads where mere expansion of infrastructure has become difficult. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the technical and financial feasibility of a waterborne public transportation system on existing inland waterways in the Colombo Metropolitan Region. The research starts by first looking abroad, where inland water transports systems area more familiar concept to find on what capacity they operated. Secondary the study area was defined so that continues waterway links can be formed. Data on physical parameters were gathered on which water way systems in the CMRwere identified. A complete technical feasibility on five selected waterway systems were presented under which the two systems; Wellawatte – Kirillapone Canal and Biera Lake were identified as meeting the criterion defined for technical feasibility, out of which the former system was selected as the best route for a public transport system in CMR. Nonavailability of demand estimation models and vehicle operating costs for boats deprived a complete assessment on financial feasibility. The conclusion arrived is that it is technically feasible to make a connection over water, certainly in the in Wellawatte- Kirillapone link where the daily passenger movements are considerably high. Its financial feasibility depends on the estimation of demand and operational parameters for the ferry service, which require further research.