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Modi inaugurates Afghanistan's biggest Rs 1,700 crore Salma Dam

Over 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers were involved in construction of the dam for several years in difficult condition.

By :  sadhguru jaggi vasudev
Update: 2016-06-04 08:51 GMT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today jointly inaugurated a landmark dam, a Rs 1,700 crore showpiece infrastructure project by India in strategically important Herat province, reflecting India's strong commitment to reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
Modi also interacted with personnel at Indian Consulate in Herat.
PM Modi along with Afghan President also had a tete-a-tete with the locals who were enthralled to see India's de-facto head of the state.
Modi was also conferred upon with the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan's highest civilian honour.
Over 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers were involved in construction of the dam for several years in difficult condition.
Afghanistan is Modi's first stop as part of his five-nation tour which will also take him to Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico.
All equipment and material required for the dam were transported from India to Bander-e-Abbas port of Iran via sea route and then along 1200 km by road from there to Islam Kila border post at Iran-Afghanistan border and then further 300 km by road from the border post to the site.
'Contrary to those who spread chaos and destruction, we two countries have taken the joint decision to build and grow,' said Ghani.
'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.'
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.
Touted as a 'landmark' infrastructure project, the dam located 165 km east of Herat town, is expected to significantly boost the agricultural economy of the province.
Modi is in Herat as part of his five-nation tour and it is his second visit to Afghanistan in less than six months.
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.
Over 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers were involved in construction of the dam for several years in difficult condition.

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