The Ministry of Energy and Water has announced that nearly 60% of the construction work on the first phase of the Bakhshabad Dam in Farah province has been completed.
Matiullah Abid, the spokesperson for the ministry, told TOLOnews that the dam has the capacity to irrigate more than 68,000 acres of land and will generate 27 megawatts of electricity once completed.
Abid stated: “The Bakhshabad Dam, located in Farah province, is one of the key projects of the Ministry of Energy and Water. Currently, approximately 60% of the first phase has been completed. In this phase, there are two tunnels, each 500 meters long. Fortunately, the excavation of these tunnels has been completed, and concrete work is now underway.”
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment considers the construction of water dams very beneficial for water resource management and energy production.
Mirzaman Popal, acting Head of Administration and Finance at the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “The water resources of Afghanistan, which are currently flowing freely, such as the Kunar River, the Helmand River, and other major rivers like the Kokcha River, have the potential to support the construction of large dams. These dams can fulfill Afghanistan’s electricity needs and even allow for the export of electricity to other countries.”
Some experts argue that for years, Afghanistan’s water has flowed abundantly into neighboring countries, and the Islamic Emirate must take necessary measures to manage these resources.
Selab Samandar, an economic analyst, said: “Managing the country’s water not only strengthens and develops agriculture but also creates job opportunities for people through the construction of such dams and helps recharge underground water resources.”
Previously, the Ministry of Energy and Water stated that the construction of the Bakhshabad Dam requires a budget of $430 million, and the caretaker government is seeking financial support from the public to fund this project.
