Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly scheduled to briefly visit Afghanistan capital Kabul on December 25 during a stop-over after his visit to Russia, the Union Cabinet, chaired by him,
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly scheduled to briefly visit Afghanistan capital Kabul on December 25 during a stop-over after his visit to Russia, the Union Cabinet, chaired by him, on Tuesday evening approved the reconstruction and completion of Salma Dam Project in Afghanistan at the Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) of about Rs 1,775 crore. The project is scheduled to be completed by June, 2016. WAPCOS, a central Public Sector Unit under the ministry of water resources, is executing the project.
“The availability of power and water through the project upon its successful completion will lead to the overall economic development of the western Afghanistan and generate goodwill for India in Afghanistan. The completion of this project will address the energy requirements and irrigation needs of western Afghanistan. The foreign exchange rate variation between Indian rupee and US dollar, increase in consultancy charges due to extended period of project completion, escalation, training of Afghan personnel etc. have necessitated revision in the project cost,” the government said.
“Situated on the upper reaches of Hari Rud River in Herat province, Salma Dam project involves construction of a 107.5 metre high earth and rock-fill dam and a 42 MW power House with three units of 14 MW each. It also has a provision for releasing water for irrigation of 75,000 hectares of land. The availability of power and water through the project, upon its successful completion, is expected to contribute to the overall economic development of the western region of Afghanistan and generate goodwill for India in Afghanistan,” the government added.
Meanwhile, the government said, “The Cabinet has approved the Model Agreement on exemption from visa requirements for diplomats and official passport holders.”
