The landmark Afghan- India Friendship or Salma Dam project was inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Mohammad
Ashraf Ghani in western Herat province of Afghanistan today.
The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, on river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran, will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.
In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Ghani welcomed Modi to his “second home”, Afghanistan, and said a “long standing dream” of the country has been realised after 30 years with help from India.
“Today, we come together to make eternal India Afghan ties and friendship. This Dam will chart a new course of cooperation and Prosperity,” said Ghani adding “Our people identify India with roads, dams and over 200 small development projects.”
“Contrary to those who spread chaos and destruction, we two countries have taken the joint decision to build and grow,” said Ghani.
peaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ghani said that with India’s help a longstanding dream of Afghanistan has been realised after 40 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the dam has not been built by bricks and mortar, “but by faith of our friendship and valour of Afghans and Indians. We are not just launching a project that will irrigate land and light up homes. We are reviving a region,” he said. He said, “The dam is a generator not just of electricity, but also of optimism and belief in the future of Afghanistan.”
He also said that he hopes to see democracy “strike deep roots” and would like to see the people of Afghanistan unite, their economy prosper, their art and culture thrive and that their cricketers should play tests and IPL.
“The assistance of the people and the government of India in constructing this splendid dam reinstitute the ancient ties of Herat and India,” said the Afghan President.
“This dam will chart a new course of cooperation and prosperity,” the Afghan President stated.
“Our people identify India with roads, dams and over 200 small developmental projects.”
The Dam is a Multipurpose project planned for generating 42 MW of power, irrigation of 75000 hectares of land.
