LASHKARGAH (SW): Locals in southern Helmand province have expressed grim concerns about lack of progress in development work on the Kajaki Dam here.
It is said that the resurge of violence in this restive part of the country three months ago have forced stoppage of the work on Kajaki Dam. Mohammad Karim Atal, Head of the provincial council told Salam Watandar that lack of attention on the part of higher authorities was another reason behind stoppage of work on the dam. He noted that though $ 300 million were earmarked for this project and claims were made about bringing third turbine to the site but to no avail. He mentioned that foreign engineers too have not arrived to lead the development work on the project.
Without naming anyone, he claimed some power circles were deliberately hindering this mega project.
Abdul Hameed Akhundzada, deputy head of the provincial council who is also resident of Kajaki district, said in this regard that some parts for the third turbine to be installed at the dam were brought to the site but overall situation remains at stand still.
He expressed fear that if the Kabul government failed to address the issue, all hopes associated with this mega project would go in vain. He noted that the business community was very optimistic about power generation through this project.
Narullah Qane, director of electricity supply in Helmand however, assert that up to 30 percent of the work has been completed on Kajaki Dam. He said that transfer of some engineers caused a temporary halt but that issue has been resolved now. Qane added that improved security situation would do wonders in regard to expediting pace on development work on Kajaki Dam.
In the meantime, Amanullah Farooqi, an officer at the neighboring Kandahar electricity supply claimed that insecurity was not a major issue. He said that around 160 people are busy installing third turbine on the Kajaki Dam.
He asserted that much of Helmand’s income in electricity sector goes into the pockets of the Taliban. Kajaki Dam has the capacity to produce up to 32 megawatt of power. 12 megawatt of power from this project is now said to be supplied to Kandahar, while 15 out of 20 megawatts goes to the district under the strong influence of the Taliban in Sangin, Kajaki, Sarawan Kala and Zamindawar.
ENDS
