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Work on Rs. 37 billion water supply project held up
View(s):The second and third phase of the Kandy North and Patha Dumbara Water Supply Project costing approximately thirty seven billion rupees has come to a standstill. Work on the project was brought to a halt after the tender, which had earlier been awarded to a Chinese company was put to the Project Revision Committee after the present government came to power.
The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) completed the first stage of the project in 2012. The tender for the second and third stages which were due to commence in 2012 was awarded to a Chinese company. Under the terms of the contract the Chinese company was expected to find an investor from China and then commence negotiations with the Government prior to commencing work. Despite the company having found an investor however, it is reported that the Chief Engineer of the Water Supply and Drainage Board at Katugastota, Daraka Vitharane, has ordered work on the project be halted.
The present tug-of-war affects the lives of over 125,000 persons who live in the project area and are in desperate need of potable water. It is claimed that due to the non-completion of the project even the tube wells which were laid by a Finish group some years ago are drying up Distraught residents charged that since tenders had already been awarded it was up to the Project Revision Committee to ensure its speedy implementation.