Moragahakanda multi purpose project construction on track
Pictures and text by Shirajiv Sirimane in Matale
Construction of the Moragahakanda Project, Sri Lanka's largest hydro
power generating venture, undertaken by the world's largest hydro
electric company, Sinohydro Corporation of China is on schedule. Chinese
engineers hope to deliver the project before July 2016, which is ahead
of schedule.
|
 |
|
On going construction Pictures by Sirajiv Sirimane |
The expertise of the 50 year old company is having a major positive
impact during the work and also the latest equipment some of which were
seen for the first time, was also helping to speed up proceedings and be
ahead of schedule.
Chief Engineer, Sinohydro Corporation of China, Li Shizhong who is
stationed in Sri Lanka along with a team of around 50 Chinese staff
studying the project, said that they will commence construction of the
65 meters high dam and the saddle dam next month. The all needed
infrastructure has now fallen in to place to make the final operation
run smoothly. These include the site office, bridges, roads, workshop
and the residential complex, works depot, metal crusher, cement mix and
grinding plant.
He said that since the commencement of work last year they were happy
with the work so far and also the support and guidance they received
from both the Mahaweli Authority and the Irrigation Department.
Sinohydro Corporation of China, too have invested by way of HR
recourse and bringing down the most updated heavy machinery. Shizhong
said that one of the key decisions that the company took was firstly to
maintain the picturesque environment at all times in the area and
secondly award every possible sub contract to people who were relocated
due to the project. “This has proved very successful and today one can
see Sri Lankans working hand on hand with our staff in perfect harmony,”
he said. As any other of their projects all over the world, he said that
safety too was a prime concern and not a single major accident had been
reported.
Economic benefits of the project could be already seen in the area as
the quality of living standards have risen thanks to the project. “Over
150 direct employment opportunities have been provided to the village
and we estimate that each month over Rs. five to six million is being
distributed to theses workers and other who are indirectly employed.”
Another advantage is that all the unskilled workers who worked in the
site gain experience and now they were all skilled and could gain
employment anywhere in the world. Moragahakanda and Kaluganga
Development Project is the largest reservoir project to be taken up for
development under the Mahaweli River Development Programme and also
includes the construction of second reservoir across Kaluganga.
Due to the success of the on going project Sinohydro Corporation of
China, has also being awarded this contact.The main aim of the project
is to provide irrigation water facilities to 81,442 hectares of land in
the Dry Zone
|
