LHI to move into GCC countries

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd (LHI) signed a MoU with a Dubai based firm, Arab Experts Engineering Consultants recently (AREX), to collaborate with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the field of designs.

LHI CEO, H. N. R. Perera told Daily News Business that LHI hopes to expand its area in terms of coastal protection, port and fishery harbour, water supply and sewerage projects, in GCC countries namely UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.

He said the LHI has a huge potential to obtain international projects which would help to earn foreign exchange and recently submitted proposals for projects in Algeria, India and Oman. It has been awarded five projects for 2012 worth of Rs 80 million.

A study for providing a Ro-Ro Ferry Terminal at Gogha and Dahej, Gujarat State in India worth Rs 8 million is a significant one. The site Gogha lies on the western coast of the Gulf of Khambhat, about 20km from the city of Bhavnagar and Dahej is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf, about 6km from the town of Dahej and north of Narmada River.

The ferry service is intended to speed up travel within southern Gujarat and at the same time relieve congestion on the highways around the Gulf.

LHI presently carries out a feasibility study for Sampur Thermal Power Project.

The first phase of this development is the construction of a 2x250Mw (with the ability of extending it in the future with another 2x250 Mw) power plant in the south-eastern part of Koddiyar Bay.

The proposed location is identified in Sampur which is approximately 30 km from Trincomallee town. This power plant will be constructed and operated by a Joint Venture Company (JVC) between NTPC Ltd and CEB.

The project will be completed within 3 months at a cost of Rs 8 million.

A flood forecasting programme for Upper Kotmale Hydro-power Project is also being constructed at a cost of Rs 35 million.

This effective real time flood forecasting system will serve as a guide to reduce flood damages to the Talawakele town area and downstream of the Talawakele dam.

LHI in association with COWI of Denmark is presently involved in a feasibility study to update and upgrade the Hydrologic-Hydraulic model and New Urban Micro-Drainage System Model for Greater Colombo Basin.

Among other projects in hand are the feasibility study to construct a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal and test the design of a coast protection scheme along a reach of France.

Perera said the LHI at present has no expats or foreign consultancy staff and uses Sri Lankan engineers to carry out both domestic and international assignments and its policy is to attract Sri Lankan expats back and carryout these projects with local resources reducing the high cost while creating employment opportunities to local talent.