The Transport Ministry has included the monorail transport system in its master plan prepared with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for developing the urban transport system linking the Colombo city with the suburbs, Parliament was informed yesterday.



The plan, which will be implemented in stages from 2015 to 2035, includes both road and rail-based transport systems.



Minister Kumara Welgama gave these details when answering a question asked by UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The plan includes four monorail lines with one of them running parallel with the High Level Road.



A railway line between Colombo City and the Katunayake Airport has also been proposed. There are four separate projects outlined in the plan to modernize railway lines linking Kalutara,Veyangoda, Negombo and Maradana with Colombo.



The construction of new roads and expressways within the city limit, flyovers, updating traffic signal controls were among the other proposals outlined in the plan.



There are proposals for City traffic safety and management with six project proposals proposed for an environment-friendly transport system in Colombo and the suburbs.



The promotion of vehicles running on natural gas, the introduction of more hybrid cars and electric vehicles, promotion of walking and bicycles and low sulpher diesel programmes are among the proposals.(Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)