GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of southern Ghazni province have expressed concern over the quality and technical strength of a check dam under construction at a cost of around 19 million afghanis, while officials have assured that the project will be implemented according to the required standards.
Local tribal elders said floodwaters from the mountains of Jaghori, Rasana and Gowhar flow towards the check dam and urged that it be constructed to a high standard and made strong enough to withstand heavy flooding.
Haji Ghulam, a tribal elder from the area, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many families live along the watercourse leading to the check dam and that any negligence in its construction could cause serious damage to local residents.
“We are not opposed to the project, but we want it to be built to a standard that can withstand severe floods and does not put people’s lives and property at risk,” he said.
Mohammad Anwar, another tribal elder, said the walls of the check dam under construction had been built about 1.5 metres below ground level.
“People build underground walls 1.5 metres deep even for ordinary irrigation channels, but this check dam is being built to prevent major floods. Therefore, the strength of its foundation and other parts should undergo the necessary technical assessment,” he said.
He alleged that ordinary stones were being used inside the check dam walls and cement was being applied only to both sides of the walls, adding that the quality of the cement was also unsatisfactory.
Mohammad Anwar said an organisation had built a retaining wall in the same area several years ago, but it was later destroyed by floods.
Meanwhile, Habib-ur-Rahman Qazizada, an engineer with the company contracted to build the check dam, said the project was being implemented according to plans and specifications provided by the government.
“We are working according to the plans and specifications provided by the government and are paying close attention to the quality of the project,” he said.
Engineer Nematullah Hemat, a representative of the Water Affairs Department, said they periodically monitored the construction work and were aware of residents’ concerns.
He told Pajhwok that the project consisted of two check dams: one upstream of the main check dam to prevent sediment accumulation, and the other being the main check dam.
According to him, the main check dam will have a storage capacity of around 80,000 cubic metres of water.
Responding to residents’ concerns, Hemat said: “We are aware of the people’s concerns, but we assure them that the check dam will be technically constructed in a way that enables it to withstand floods.”
He added that around 100 metres of spillway channel had been planned for the check dam to ensure sufficient capacity for water discharge when water levels rise.
According to him, the check dam will not only help control floodwaters but also enable the area’s water resources to be utilised.
Azizullah Tayeb, Gilan deputy district chief, said he was aware of residents’ concerns about the project and had shared them with the relevant authorities.
“We have shared the people’s concerns with the relevant officials, and we also monitor the project from time to time to ensure that the work is carried out according to the required standards,” he said.
According to available information, the 19-million-afghani construction contract was awarded for one year, and work on the check dam is currently underway.
Officials from the contracting company said construction is expected to be completed before the onset of winter.
hz/sa
