Construction work on Almar dam resumes

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Construction work on the Almar dam in northwestern Faryab province resumed after differences between contractors were resolved, an official said on Sunday.

The project, which was scheduled to be completed this solar year, was launched three years ago but only initial work could be done. The $54 million scheme is funded by the Ministry of Water and Energy.

Differences between the Khalil Zadran Company and Tajik firm Tadis caused a halt to the project. More than 30,000 hectares of land will come under irrigation with the construction of rge dam.

Acting Governor Mohammadullah Batash said the Tajik company had re-launched work and would build the road leading to the dam.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News only 15 percent of the project had been done in the past three years. He added $4.5 million had been allocated for the project in next year’s budget.

Mohammad Saleh, a farmer from the Akhund Baba area of Almar, said they had long been waiting for the project’s completion to irrigate their farmlands.

“My brothers and I have 50 acres of farmland that needs irrigation water. We cultivate wheat and look to rains to irrigate our land,” he said.

The dam has been under security threat and some of its guards and security forces have lost their lives in Taliban attacks and roadside bombings in the past three years.

mds/mud