New Delhi/Herat (Afghanistan), June 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Saturday jointly inaugurated a landmark dam, a `1,700 crore showpiece infrastructure project by India in strategically important Herat province, reflecting India’s strong commitment to reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, on the river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran, will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42MW of power. Modi is here as part of his five-nation tour and it is his second visit to Afghanistan in less than six months. Touted as a “landmark” infrastructure project, the dam located 165km east of Herat town, is expected to significantly boost the agricultural economy of the province.
“This dam has not been built by bricks & mortar, but by faith of our friendship and valour of Afghans & Indians,”Modi said after inaugurating the dam. The project has been executed and implemented by WAPCOS Ltd, a government of India undertaking under ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation.
In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Ghani welcomed Modi to his “second home”, Afghanistan, and said a “long-standing dream” of the country has been realised after 30 years with help from India.
“Today, we come together to make eternal India Afghan ties and friendship. This dam will chart a new course of cooperation and prosperity,” said Ghani adding, “our people identify India with roads, dams and over 200 small development projects. Contrary to those who spread chaos and destruction, we two countries have taken the joint decision to build and grow.” The Herat province lies on the ancient trade routes of the Middle East, Central and South Asia. Roads from Herat to Iran, Turkmenistan, and other parts of Afghanistan are considered strategically important.
press trust of india
