Takhar officials, people demand construction of dams

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Local officials and influential persons in northern Takhar province termed electricity shortage a huge problem in the province and asked relevant authorities to address this issue by constructing hydro power projects.

During a meeting with the acting Energy and Water Minister Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour they stressed over proper water management in the province.

Takhar Governor Mawlavi Obaidulllah Aminzada, said water management and control was the responsibility of an independent government.

He said for this purposed government should continue the fortification work on Amu River bank and construction of retaining walls.

Mawlavi Aminzada said enough river water available in the province, adding that the water and energy demand of people in Takhar and neighbouring two provinces could be addressed by the construction of Tangi Warsaj dam.

Mawlavi Sibghatullah Qani, head of the Taloqan River Zone Department, linked the progress of a country with investment in the area of water management and said 85 percent people in Takhar and associated with Agriculture.

He believed with the construction of Tangi Warsaj hydro power project or Kokcha Safli the electricity and energy demand of people could be addressed and hundreds of people would be provided with job opportunities.

Shaikh Abdul Mahmood, Takhar Ulema Council head, said: “Thousands of residents of Namak Ab district of this province are using salty water due to the lack of clean water.”

He said because of the salty water, thousands of acres of agricultural land are not cultivated, people’s gardens have dried up. During the previous government’s tenure, work of the Daryacha canal was started for the purpose of purifying the salty water but from the past one year the project stopped

Acting Energy and Water Minister Abdul Latif Mansour assured local officials and influential persons that government was committed for the launch of public welfare programmes and work on one of the dam will get started in the future as well as the fortification work will also be continued.

He said tribal difference in the past governments caused common people to face extreme deprivation, but now ethnic and tribal differences put aside and work on public welfare projects had been started to address existing problems.

Earlier the acting minister visited Amu River’s fortification work and stressed over the continuation of the project.

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