Allai project nears completion

Anura MAITIPE

Rehabilitation work on the Allai project implemented under the Re-wakening Project at a cost of Rs 385 million with World Bank financial assistance is nearing completion, said Regional Director of Irrigation S. Shanmugasivananthan.

He was speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee Meeting of the Eastern Province in Trincomalee yesterday.

The Allai Irrigation Scheme is a branch canal of the Mahaveli River which flows into the sea at Trincomalee bay.

The Mavilaru anicut is its main gate through which water flows for over 17,500 acres of paddy land at Seruwila, Echchelampattu and Muthtur in the Trincomalee district, he said.

The canal network of this scheme is spread over 179 miles. It provides irrigation facilities for paddy lands throughout the year. It also drains out excess water to the Mahaveli River during the rainy season, Shanmugasivananthan said.

The canal network dam, spill, bridge, and the sluice of this irrigation scheme had been badly damaged following the conflict in the area over the past three decades.

All access roads to paddy fields, project sites and main canals have also been re-constructed and with the successful implementation of this project over 10,000 war affected farmer families in Trincomalee district have been benefited.