KARACHI, Pakistan

The first phase of a crucial irrigation canal in northern Afghanistan has been completed.

A ceremony was held in the Balkh province to inaugurate the 108 kilometers (67 miles) long first phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal and the start of its second phase on Wednesday, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the interim Afghan government, said in a post on X.

“This canal is considered a vital project for enhancing the agriculture sector, which is highly welcomed by the whole nation,” he added

The 285 km (177 miles) Qosh Tepa Canal begins from the Amu River in Balkh, and ends in the Faryab province while passing through Jowzjan.

The project will be completed in three phases.

The second and third phases, which combined make up 177 km (110 miles), are expected to be completed within five years.

The irrigation scheme has a catchment area of 550,000 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Railway Authority signed a contract in Kabul with Iran for the use of 3rd section of the Khaf-Herat railway, state-run Bakhtar News reported.

The 220 km (136 miles) railroad project was inaugurated in October 2020.

As part of the large east-west railway corridor extending to China and Europe, this new railway track connects Iran’s eastern city of Khaf with Afghanistan’s western city of Ghorian.