India - Sri Lanka grid connectivity Project to cost US $ 1.2Bn, environmental study set to commence

• Project involves laying an undersea cable between Mannar and Madurai
• The two sides have already completed the technical study 

By Kelum Bandara 
In another step towards the implementation of the India - Sri Lanka power grid connectivity project, the two sides have agreed to conduct the environmental feasibility study, a source familiar with the process said.
A delegation led by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary to the Ministry of Power in India and Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, visited the Ministry of Power and Energy recently.

The delegation including senior officials from the Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority, National Thermal Power Corporation, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited were on a three-day visit to discuss power sector cooperation between the two countries. 
The two sides have already completed the technical study. An undersea cable will be laid between Mannar in northern Sri Lanka and Madurai in southern India.
The project is roughly estimated to cost US $ 1.2 billion.