Balkh’s Sholgara residents struggle with power shortage

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Residents of Sholgara district in northern Balkh province have urged the caretaker government to construct a hydroelectric dam on the district’s rive to address the current electricity shortage in the area.

Abdul Sattar, an inhabitant of Nawabod village of Sholgara district, told Pajhwok Afghan News the lack of electricity has severely impacted daily activities of government offices and residents, forcing them to rely on solar power.

He added: “Previous governments made many promises to build a dam for us, but unfortunately, they were never fulfilled. Now, we call on the leadership of the Islamic Emirate and the Prime Minister to construct a hydroelectric dam on our river.”

Another resident, Kabir Ahmad, highlighted inequality in access to electricity, stating that while imported electricity from Balkh was available to other provinces, Sholgara remained deprived of this essential service.

He explained electricity imported from other countries was temporary and commercial, meaning that once contracts expired, it could be cut off. Therefore, he urged the government to invest in domestic power generation projects.

Residents stressed that lack of access to electricity has disrupted businesses, particularly in winter season, when cloudy weather prevents solar panels from generating power.

Azizullah Wahdat, who runs a printing shop in Sholgara’s market, shared how he struggled with lack of power: “I rely on solar electricity, but in winter, when the sun is not shining, I cannot operate my business properly. Our lives and livelihoods are extremely difficult without electricity.”

Meanwhile, local officials acknowledge the problem and assure that plans for constructing a hydroelectric dam are already underway.

Administrative chief of the district Qutbuddin Rohani confirmed that representatives from the Ministry of Water and Energy and Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat had conducted surveys and designs for the proposed dam in the Pul-i-Barq area of the district.

“A team of experts visited the site and surveyed the river for hydroelectric dam construction. They assured us that the project will begin soon,” Rohani stated.

Sholgara is located 57 kilometers south of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial district, and has a population of approximately 18,000 people.

kk/ma