SHAHTOOT DAM

Subject : International Relations

Context : The Union Minister of External Affairs  recently announced at the Geneva Donors conference that India is to construct the Shahtoot Dam across the Maidan river, a tributary of river Kabul in Afghanistan.

Concept :

• The Shahtoot dam is to be constructed in Kabul river basin, one of the five river basins of Afghanistan. The dam will provide irrigation, drinking water for the Kabul province of the country. The cost of the project has been estimated as 305 million USD.

Benefits of the project

• The dam will provide irrigation facilities to about 10,000 hectares of agricultural land. It will supply drinking water to around 2 million people in the city of Kabul.
• Also, it will recharge the underground water for drinking purposes in and around Kabul.
• It will contribute to national food security by helping in the production of fishery, crops and industries. It will also promote tourism and increase opportunities of income.

Other projects

• Along with the Shahtoot dam, India has pledged to rebuild Afghanistan committing to 80 million USD worth projects. Around 150 projects have been announced by India in the conflict-ridden country.