Phase 1 of Shahi canal project begins in Laghman

MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): Construction work has been launched on the Shahi canal project at a cost of eight million US dollars in the Alingar district of eastern Laghman province, the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) announced on Monday.

Acting Minster of Energy and Water Maulvi Abdul Latif Mansour told the inaugural ceremony the first phase of the project would account for $8 million, provided by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

He said his ministry was striving to kick off work on the second phase of the canal as well.

He added many projects had been executed in the power sector. He also announced work would kick off on five major dams in the near future.

Meanwhile, tribal elders and youth were also happy that practical work had got under way on the first phase of the canal.

Malik Nabi Sarwar Khadim, a tribal leader, told Pajhwok Afghan News the canal was a project conceived by former president Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan.

He also urged the caretaker government to provide youth from Alingar district with job opportunities on the project.

According to the ministry, the 70-kilometre-long canal will be constructed in two phases and will irrigate about 20,000 hectares of land.

kk/mud