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MoU signed for first cable car project 

12 Dec 2021

By Uwin Lugoda The Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the first-ever cable car project from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya, aimed at attracting more tourists to the area. According to the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the signing of the MoU, which took place recently, was done under the instructions of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing. The MoU was signed by the UDA, Outdoor Engineering Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. “The MoU was signed by all three parties in an attempt to develop tourism in these areas,” said UDA Media Spokesperson Prasad Manju, speaking to The Sunday Morning. The cable car from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya is estimated to cost a total of $ 56 million, with the project being fully funded through Swedish funds. This is being done on the basis of a 30-year lease once the project is operational. The project was first approved in 2019 by the previous Government, with an MoU subsequently being signed between Dopelme Cable Car Company of Sweden, its local partner Outdoor Engineering Lanka, the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, and the previous Minister of Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake.  The project is planned to be completed under two stages; in the first stage, 43 cable cars that can accommodate 10 passengers each will be included, and in the second stage, 43 more cars would be added. The project will build 21 towers connecting the cable cars between the Nanu Oya train station, Nuwara Eliya Race Course, and the Single Tree Mountain. Furthermore, the UDA has been vested with providing close to four hectares of necessary lands required for the project. According to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, the project was part of the Government’s special programme to popularise over 6,000 new eco-friendly tourist attraction sites countrywide. Early in November, the Government also expedited the modernisation of the Nanu Oya railway station to aid the region in attracting more tourists. To oversee the project, a joint committee, consisting of secretaries to the Ministries of Tourism and Transport, were appointed.  Under this, the railway stations of Weligama, Ella, Bandarawela, Bentota, Galle, and Haputale are also being modernised into tourist attractions. In this regard, a sum of Rs. 62 million has been allocated this year for the modernisation of both Bandarawela and Nanu Oya railway stations. According to the Ministry of Tourism, once renovation on these train stations is complete, they will be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for maintenance.  


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