A ceremony of cutting the first sod of earth to commence the construction of the project was held under the patronage of Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga at Karasnagoda in Attanagalla.
A reservoir will be created across the Basnagoda Oya which is a branch of the Attanagalu Oya.
It is designed to be constructed with a concrete dam (2.5m in height and 130m in length) for the storage of a water capacity of 3.5 million cubic meters (MCM).
Irrigation Minister Rajapaksa addressing the gathering at the ceremony said the proposed project would fulfill the water needs of nearly 600,000 people in the Gampaha district. The project which was commenced during the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been halted by the former Yahapalana Government without any tangible reason. However, the present Government following requests from the People in the area, who have been suffering for a long time from water scarcity for their drinking and agricultural purposes, took steps to recommence the project.
The Minister said it is the responsibility of the Government to fulfill the water requirements of the people as it is one of the basic needs.
Tourism Minister Ranathunga said the project would fulfill the water needs of the people living in 443 Grama Seva Divisions belonging to the Gampaha, Attanagalla, Minuwangoda, Meerigama and Mahara Divisional Secretariats. Around 110,000 new water connections will also be provided to households through this project.