Second phase of UKHP Project: Contract for civil construction work signed

COLOMBO: The contract for the Civil Construction work in connection with the second phase of Upper Kotmale Hydro Power (UKHP) Project that amounted to Rs. 10.7 billion was signed between the Ceylon Electricity Board and a Japanese Company recently at the CEB headquarters, an official for the Power and Energy Ministry said.

CEB Chairman W.A.S. Perera and Deputy Chairman K.A. Ranaweera on behalf of the CEB and General Manager Tadac Tanka and Deputy Project Manager of the Sri Lankan office Shuya Agatsuma signed the agreement on behalf of the Mayoda company Japan.

The contract would cover the construction of the 35m tall dam proximity to the Talawakelle Town, 35 km long tunnel and the under ground power house. The estimated cost of phase two of the project would be Rs. 10.7 billion, the official said.

He further said that the first phase of the project included the construction of a housing scheme for the 490 displaced families and the development of the infrastructure in the area and added that the houses would be handed over to the families by the end of the December.

He added that the construction of the second phase would be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January next year.

The Upper Kotmale Hydro Power plant when commissioned would add 150 MW to the National Grid.

CEB General Manager D.R. Pulleperuma, Project Director Shveendranath Fernando also participated at the occasion.