GARDEZ CITY (SW) – Residents of Ahmadabad district in Paktia province urge the de-facto government to resume the incomplete construction of the “Machalgho” dam.
Emphasizing the dam’s importance for agriculture, they assert that its completion will provide the necessary water for numerous farmlands.
Jan Mohammad, a triable elder in the Machalgho area, insists that the government must finish the remaining work on the dam. He said, “Part of the dam’s construction has progressed, but half of it remains unfinished. Our request to the government is to complete this dam. Once built, it will irrigate many agricultural lands and create jobs for the people.”
Mirza Jan, another resident of Ahmadabad district, noted that parts of the Machalgho dam were damaged by floods last year. He added, “Our lands need irrigation. If this dam is fully constructed, it will supply the necessary water to our lands and resolve farmers’ problems.”
The Machalgho dam, in addition to benefiting Ahmadabad district, can also provide water to farmlands in the districts of Zurmat, Sayed Karam, and Gardez, the central of Paktia.
Local officials in Paktia assured that the incomplete work on the Machalgho dam will resume once the budget is approved. Mohammad Karim Fateh, Head of Paktia’s Sub-River Basin, mentioned that only 30% of the dam’s construction has been completed, and efforts are ongoing at the ministry level to finish the remaining work.
“The construction of Machalgho dam began during the previous government and has progressed by 30%. 70% of the work remains. We assure the public that the Islamic Emirate is committed to completing this project,” he stated.
According to available information, the Machalgho dam will irrigate approximately 2,300 hectares of land upon completion.
