HERAT CITY (SW): Dubbed as Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam, Salma Dam was inaugurated on Saturday after nearly 42 years of delay.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, said on the occasion that the completion of Salma Dam project is the first sign of series of new dams across the country.
He said that India, contrary to other countries which breed terrorism, has taken part in the reconstruction of the country over the past years.
He added that India is an old friend of Afghanistan and that the completion of Salma Dam project could further strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries and can eradicate drought in the country.
He further said that thousands of families could benefit from this project.
He went on to thank India for some 200 reconstruction projects in the country, which have been completed over the past years.
Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, said on the occasion that this project is another step towards development in Afghanistan as well as further improving ties between the two countries. He added that India is committed to help Afghanistan and would defend Afghanistan in the region and in the world.
A number of residents across the country celebrated the inauguration of the project.
Salma Dam is one of the mega construction projects in the country, which in addition to irrigating more than 80,000 acres of land can also produce 42MW of electricity. The project worth some $ 290 million has been funded by India. Located near Chasht-e-Sharif district in Herat, Salma Dam is 107m high and 550 m wide.
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