Steps are being taken to develop the area around the Nine Arch Bridge, Ella which is considered as a tourist attraction of local and foreign tourists.

The Minister of Tourism, Hon Prasanna Ranatunga who visited the area recently stated that the nine arch bridge will be developed as a tourist attraction under the Ella Tourism Development Project.

The Minister further stated that steps will be taken to set up a new tourist service center at the Nine Arch Bridge, Ella and to develop the infrastructure facilities associated with it in order to facilitate local and foreign tourists.

In addition to the development of the Nine Arch Bridge, Ella a number of programs are to be implemented under the Ella Development Project, including the construction of a tourist service center and information center in the Ella town, the development of a new tunnel as a gateway to the Ella, the construction of temporary huts in the tourist areas, development of the Ella Wallawaya Road and  other roads, construction of a natural road from the forest camp site to the water based recreation camp site, improvement of access roads to Ravana caves and temples, demarcation of protected archaeological sites, reforestation of 72 hectares with native plants suitable for landslide prone areas etc.

Ella has recently become a popular tourist destination in the Uva Province, attracting the attention of local and foreign tourists.  Due to this, a large number of local and foreign tourists are arrived to Ella.

Due to the promotion of the tourism industry, about 500 hotels have been built in the vicinity of Ella area.

Hon.Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism said that the nine arch bridge is one of the tourist attractions of Ella and the development works related to it will be completed soon.