Tasks Ahead In The Northern Province

By S.Sivathasan -August 31, 2013 |

S.Sivathasan

To move away from the visible marks of war, there have been options. Bland restitution was one. But veering from it and embarking on reconstruction to meet heavier needs of the future became the preferred choice. Such policy is manifest in the North for highways. Quite conspicuous in visibility is the redevelopment of some of the important highways. But were the corollaries thought of and planned for or are they being met? If the Provincial and Central government move in tandem, they can yet be realized giving a new dimension to the programme of economic and social regeneration.

Highways

By all accounts, visual reports have it that A class highways in the North are executed well and without discrimination. They certainly impress foreign personnel and casual visitors while they serve the purpose of easy transport and comfortable travel. But prying eyes which peer beyond see an unspectacular interior. Staid statistics of trade, transport, industry and construction which account for nearly half the GDP of the nation, depict a picture more telling than photos or a video. When these four sectors are grouped together for the nation, the total in 2011 was Rs.3,051 billion and in contrast the North had Rs. 66 billion for the same four sectors. A stark picture of 1 of 9 Provinces, having 1 of 46 of GDP share emerges. By comparison, the Western Province had 23 of 46.

Today the North has highways it deserves, but not an economy to match. Is it correct policy to have roads first? Definitely yes. But no programme is yet in place to expand the economy even though a road network is at hand. More pertinently, people’s wellbeing demands it and with expedition. Quite a substantial component in the nation’s GDP is transport. Prior to 1983, under normal order of things, the North pulsated with life with a thriving economy. It reflected in the transport sector. As at end of 2011, when the country’s transport was Rs.754 billion of GDP, the share of the North was Rs. 28 billion or 1/27th. One may say that transport is now at a low profile, since there is precious little to move to and fro. That is precisely the point being made here.

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