A major portion of work on long-awaited Salma Dam has at last been completed. The closure of the diversion tunnel gate has taken place and the filling of the reservoir has already started. It would take the reservoir about 9 to 12 months to fill and then the dam can become fully functional.

Salma dam is a $ 300 million hydroelectric and irrigation project constructed on Hari Rud River in Chiste Sharif district, and has the goals of 42 MW power generation and irrigating 80,000 hectares of land.

It is flagship infrastructural project of India’s developmental assistance programme to Afghanistan.

The project includes construction of 107.5 m high and 550 m long rock-filled dam and other typical components of the hydroelectric power project such as spillways, a powerhouse, switchyard and a transmission line.

This dam is of immense importance for Afghanistan and can support in solving the issue of electricity generation of the country to a certain level. At least, the province can benefit to a great extent in this regard. Moreover, the irrigation system developed from the dam can benefit the province in making advancements regarding its agriculture.

Now that 80% of the work has been completed on the dam, there are hopes that there will not be any major problem regarding the remaining work and the dam will be functional soon. However, there have been tough times during the process of the construction and various controversies have been attached to it. According to a statement by Consul General of India in Herat province, the dam had faced several logistical constraints and security challenges contributing to a delay of several years and is now expected to be completed by mid-2016.   

Salma dam was initially built in 1976 on the Hari river basin, but was damaged early during the Civil war in Afghanistan. The rebuilding of the dam was first started by an Indian company (WAPCOS Ltd.) in 1988, but the project was left incomplete for a significant period of time due to the ongoing instability caused by the civil war. In 2006, India committed to funding the completion of the Salma Dam at an estimated cost of $200 million.

In January 2013, the Indian cabinet approved revised cost for the completion of the project and declared it would be completed in December 2014, or 2 years behind the previous schedule. And, now most probably it will be totally completed by 2016.

The Afghan leaders and people have welcomed the news that major portion of work is now completed and they expect that insecurity and political situation will not hamper the remaining work.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday expressed satisfaction on the completion of parts of the dam and he hope that it would help resolve the problem of shortage of energy and power besides strengthening the agriculture sector in the western zone.

India has been very supportive to Afghanistan as far as economic growth and the infra-structure development are concerned. The people of Afghanistan consider India as a friend and always appreciate its help. India at the same time has kept on assisting Afghanistan in different development projects and Salma dam is just another example in the same regard. 

Meanwhile, some Afghans consider that politicians in Iran are trying to stop work on the dam project, which would lessen the flow of river water into Iran. According to the local Afghan National Police of the area, Iranian government is funding local Taliban members to oppose construction of the dam. 

On the other hand in March 2013, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) claimed that Taliban's Quetta Shura attempted to blow up the Salma Dam with 1,300 kilograms of explosives. According to NDS spokesman Shafiqullah Tahiri, "Mullah Abdul Ghani, a member of the Quetta Shura who plans suicide attacks, was behind the conspiracy." The explosives were discovered in a deserted area of the Pashtun Zarghun District of Herat Province.. One person by the name of Sayed Gul was arrested.

Afghanistan is one of the countries that is in crying need of infra-structure development, which could be instrumental in supporting Afghan economy so that it is able to stand on its own and push the people towards peace and stability. The neighboring countries, therefore, must support Afghanistan in this regard and set a good example of cooperation. In the long run, it is only the economic development that can assist Afghanistan in fighting the menace of terrorism and insecurity, which will, at the same time, be very much supportive in maintaining peace throughout the region.