Taliban electricity officials say that surveys of five locations and preliminary technical work for the construction of hydropower dams on the Kunar River have been completed.
Omar Gul Naib, the Taliban’s electricity official in Asadabad, Kunar province, said that following the completion of the surveys, the groundwork would be laid in the next stages for the practical implementation of dam construction projects. Speaking to Taliban-affiliated media, he added that the purpose of the surveys was to accurately identify suitable locations for water and electricity infrastructure projects.
A number of Kunar residents have welcomed these initial steps, saying that the construction of the dams could help prevent damage caused by seasonal floods to agricultural land and residential areas. They said the projects could also play an important role in the region’s economic development, agricultural growth, and reconstruction.
Previously, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs also expressed support for the construction of dams on the Kunar River, saying that New Delhi was prepared to cooperate with Afghanistan in the sustainable management of water resources.
Although some Taliban officials announced plans to build dams on the Kunar River following recent clashes with Pakistan, there has so far been no indication that these projects have entered the implementation phase.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
