The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) on Saturday said increasing insecurity in Farah province will negatively affect planned construction of Bakhshabad Dam.

Currently surveys are still being carried out regarding the dam, which will be built along a tributary of Farah River, also known as Farah Rod River, and will supply water to 80,000 acres of land in the west. It will also generate 27 megawatts of electricity. 

However, officials said the dam will bring solid benefits to Farah residents and neighboring provinces, but that insecurity is a huge challenge.  

“An increase in insecurity and the continuation of this situation will affect the Bakhshabad Dam project. However, the important thing is that people support the project and we hope work on the project will ahead without any problems,” Mohammad Asif Ghafoori, head of the energy minister’s office said. 

A number of MPs urged government to step up security around development projects, especially dam projects. 

“Government should clarify the security problem around Bakhshabad Dam. If the problem originates from the foreign countries, then people should at least decide to stand against the challenge,” MP Nader Shah Bahar said. 

Construction on the dam has been intermittent as work was delayed for many years due to contractor problems. However, geological studies and surveys got underway about nine months ago.