Two reservoirs to benefit three districts

by M. P. Muttiah

The Moragahakanda and Kaluganga reservoirs are to be completed under the Mahinda Chintana at an estimated cost of Rs.58,500 million. When the project is completed, 86,000 hectares of land within nine Mahaweli systems will benefit.

It would help to cultivate both the Maha and Yala seasons through additional water supply. Under the proposed power house there will be electricity generation of 50 GWH at the capacity of 20 MW. It is also expected to increase the drinking water supply in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Matale districts. Construction of Moragahakanda Reservoir is the main project and the final reservoir under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Program.

During the last two decades the people of the North Central Province and Eastern Province have stressed the importance of constructing this reservoir.

Although a number of feasibility studies has been carried out on the construction of this reservoir between 2000 to 2004, it was delayed up to now due to financial constraints.

The studies showed that construction of both Moragahakanda and Kaluganga reservoirs simultaneously would be economically and technically viable.

This project includes the construction of the Moragahakanda dam across Abanganga, Kaluganga dam at Pallegama, a canal linking the two reservoirs, a power house, a second tunnel starting at Bovatenna and canals to provide water to irrigation systems.

The Government has allocated Rs. 50 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development for preliminary work which includes project planning, to enable commencement of construction work on these two reservoirs early next year.