Introduction

The Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project will be implemented through five separate contracts comprising of Lots 1 to 5. Lot 1, Preparatory Woks is aimed at preparing the site for the other Lots to commence, including construction of all facilities to the Project Affected Persons.

Lot 1 – Scope of Works

This Lot is composed of four sections namely, Access road to the Respective Construction Sites, Permanent Facilities for the Employer and the Engineer, Permanent Facilities for the Re-settlers and 33 kV Construction Supply. The details of these sections are given below.

Access Road to the Respective Construction Sites

This consists of construction of new access roads with drains, culverts and bridges from the existing roads including improvement of the existing roads.

The construction of a New Bridge (83m length) across Kotmale Oya at Talawakelle for the B412, Talawakelle Tawalantenna Highway and developing the B412 Highway which forms the major part of this activity.

In addition, it consists of improving the Talawakelle Great Western Road and providing access to the various construction sites such as Switchyard, Penstock Adit and Construction adit No.2. About 40km of 5.0m carriageway width roads will result by improvement or new construction under this sub Lot.

Permanent Facilities for the Employer and the Engineer

This consists of constructing and providing the Employer and the Engineer with adequate facilities such as Residential Houses, Office Complexes, Recreation Facilities etc. These facilities will be utilized by the Employer and Engineer during the construction of the UKHP and by the Employer’s operation personnel during operation.

These permanent facilities will be constructed at selected areas close to the proposed Power House site and other construction sites namely the Main Intake Dam, Tunnel and Penstock Adits .

The facilities to be provided include, residential houses varying from 62 m² to 205 m² in floor area, Dormitories, Circuit Bungalows, Restaurants and Office Complexes. These buildings will be provided with access and internal roads, Perimeter fencing with gates at main entrances, Parking facilities for vehicles, water supply, electricity supply, sewerage and drainage facilities. Landscaping will add to the beauty of these architecturally designed structures.

Permanent Facilities for the Re-settlers

This consists of constructing and providing permanent facilities for the persons affected by the project (Affected Persons-APs). This has been planned to be done in accordance with the National Involuntary Resettlement Policy (NIRP). To facilitate and in accordance with same a “Resettlement Action Plan” (RAP) has been documented.

The re-settlers are mainly estate workers but include a good number of varied occupants, shop owners, work shops, garages etc.

The Affected Persons (AP’s) will be resettled in permanent houses built on selected resettlement sites in Talawakelle and in close proximity to their present residential areas. The permanent individual houses are to be built on identified plots of not less than seven perches (7 P) in extent. All resettlement sites are provided with access roads of 4 m carriageway width and road frontage to each and every unit built is ensured, by having a network of Internal Roads. Water supply, Electricity and Drainage facilities will be provided. Existing common amenities and utilities in all inundation areas will be replaced with new, permanent, updated facilities and utilities. Any other facilities that cannot be provided due to unavoidable circumstances will be adequately compensated.

Other public utilities affected too are to be re-constructed including the Talawakelle Tamil School, Urban Council Building, Cinema Hall, UDA Rest House and some Urban Council and CGR Quarters. The present veterinary clinic building will be newly constructed on an adjoining plot giving way to site the New Urban Council Bilding at the preferred location.

The CEB has established a Site Office at Walkers Premises Talawakelle and stationed the Project Manager (Preparatory Works) and other supporting staff to monitor and supervise the preparatory works Construction Activities and to co-ordinate convey and receive information from Affected Persons.

More details on resettlement appear in Resettlement.

33 kV Construction Supply line

The scope of works consists of the following 33 kV double circuit tower lines and concrete Pole lines of capacity 20 MW and 10 MW respectively for each circuit.

1.  21 km 33kV Lynx conductor double circuit tower line from Nuwara Eliya Grid Substation to the Niyangamdora power house, the Upper Kotmale Power Station, Employers and Engineers office, residential facilities and construction sites in the vicinity.

2.  11.5 km 33kV Lynx conductor double circuit tower line from Henfold to Talawakelle intake dam via Lidula Gantry to supply the Talawakelle Intake dam, Resettlement sites and Employers and Engineers office and residential facilities.

3.Construction of 08 km Racoon conductor pole lines to provide the end connections to respective sites.

These lines will provide a reliable construction power supply for the project during construction and will continue to supply the permanent facilities including the resettlement facilities done by project The enhancement to the local power supply capacity and its reliability is another contribution for the Talawakelle,Niyangamdora and connected areas.

Construction and Implementation Period

The construction period is 1004 days (33.5 months). The Lot 1 – Preparatory works have commenced on September 23rd, 2005 by M/S Maeda Corporation of Japan to whom the tender was awarded. Connected works on all four sections motioned above have commeced and are in progress.