Construction work on Upper Kotmale hydropower project begins

Colombo, Aug 30 (Lankapuvath) - The construction work of the first phase of the Upper Kotmale Hydro-Power Project will begin next week. The estimated cost of the project which will be implemented in five phases is Rs. 30 billion, a spokesman of the Mayeda Institute of Japan told Lankapuvath.

The construction of houses and infrastructure facilities for families who will be evacuated from relevant areas will be carried out under the first phase.

A sum of four billion rupees will be spent for the first phase of the project. 498 new houses will also be built to settle these families. All facilities will be provided to a houses which will be built in a seven perch block of land.

Mayeda Institute of Japan will carry out the construction activities under the supervision of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Thalawakelle will be developed as a fully-fledged city under the first phase. 33 kilometers of road and 150 culverts and ten new bridges are to be built. Protest campaigns were organized against the implementation of Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project earlier. However, all parties have come forward to extend their support to implement this project at present. A reservoir will be built in close proximity to Kotmale Oya.

The underground power plant will be built at Niyamgamdora situated 30 kilometers away from the proposed reservoir. The capacity of the power project will be 150 megawatts.