India to help build dam in Afghanistan

India Thursday approved additional funds for the construction of Salma Dam in western Afghanistan at a revised cost of Rs.1,457.56 crore, said official sources.

The project will be executed by WAPCOS Ltd, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said after a cabinet meeting.

According to officials, the availability of power and water through the project will lead to overall economic development of Afghanistan's western region.

It will also address the issues of energy requirement and irrigation needs.

The project is expected to be completed in December 2014 or two years from the date of approval of the revised cost estimates. Forty percent of the dam has been built.