Salma Dam
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
| Salma Dam | |
|---|---|
 Location of Salma Dam in Afghanistan
|
|
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Location | Chishti sharif District, Herat Province |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Status | Under construction |
| Construction began | 1976[1] |
| Opening date | 2015 (est.) |
| Construction cost | US$200 million |
| Owner(s) | WAPCOS |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Hari River |
| Height | 107.5 m (353 ft) |
| Length | 551 m (1,808 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Active capacity | 560×106 m3 (453,999 acre⋅ft) |
| Inactive capacity | 633×106 m3 (513,181 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 11,700 km2 (4,500 sq mi) |
| Power station | |
| Turbines | 3 X 14 MW |
| Installed capacity | 42 MW (max. planned) |
| Annual generation | 86.6 GWh |
Salma Dam is an under construction hydroelectric and irrigation dam project located on the Hari River in Chishti sharif District of Herat Province in western Afghanistan.[2]
Salma dam was originally constructed in 1976 on the Hari river basin, but was damaged early during the Civil war in Afghanistan.[1] The reconstruction of the dam was first initiated 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[3] at an estimated cost of $275 million.[4] Once completed, the hydroelectric plant would produce 42 MW of power in addition to providing irrigation for 75,000 hectares of farmland (stabilizing the existing irrigation of 35,000 hectares and development of irrigation facilities to an additional 40,000 hectares of land).[2]
In January 2013, the Indian cabinet approved revised cost of INR 1,457 crores (US$ 273.3 million) for the completion of the project and declared it would be completed in December 2014, or 2 years behind the previous schedule.[5]
On 26 July 2015 the dam began to impound its reservoir.
Plots to destroy the dam
Some Afghans believe that politicians in Iran are attempting to stop work on the dam project, which would reduce the flow of river water into Iran.[2] According to the local Afghan National Police of the area, Iranian government is funding local Taliban members to oppose construction of the dam.[2] In 2009, a parliamentarian from Kabul Province, Najibullah Kabuli accused Iran of interfering in the construction of the Salma Dam.
When the governor of Chishti sharif district, Abdulqudus Qayam, was killed along with five security officials in mid-January 2010, the Afghan media called it an insurgent attack. The Taliban accepted responsibility, but many in Herat saw it as part of a wider problem the province is having with Iran. Qayam had been instrumental in pushing the construction of the dam.[2]
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, which were smuggled into the area from Balochistan, Pakistan. One person by the name of Sayed Gul was arrested.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.afghanembassyjp.com/en/news/947
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://iwpr.net/report-news/iran-again-accused-trying-halt-afghan-dam
- ↑ http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/430036/india_to_resume_work_on_salma_dam_in_western_afghanistan/index.html
- ↑ http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0615/Afghanistan-s-woeful-water-management-delights-neighbors
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
