Work on Kalu Ganga tunnel to begin tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The ceremony to release the maiden waters of the Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project and commence construction work on the Kalu Ganga tunnel is to take place tomorrow (July 23), under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena. The irrigation project has been built across Laggala and Pallegama to collect water from the Kalu river which springs from the Kalupahana area in the knuckles mountain range. The total capacity of the irrigation project is 248 million cubic meters of water. An area spanning 128 square kilometers has been allocated as the catchment area for the 14.5 square kilometer Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project. Around 3000 families who were resettled in the valley downstream from the Kalu river will be provided with water through the project. It will also irrigate 2000 acres of land and excess water will be directed to the Morgahakanda reservoir. The project will also supply water to the Mahakandara wewa, Amban Ganga, Yodha Ela, Minneriya, Girithale, Kavudulla, and Kantale. The power plant at the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project will also add 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.