Kajaki hydroelectric dam, Afghanistan

5 Feb 07: Royal Marines have cleared a Taliban base, consisting of 25 compounds, near the Kajaki hydroelectric dam, in an effort to help bring stability and power to Afghanistan. Once fully operational the dam will bring electricity to 1.8 million people. But the area around Kajaki, northern Helmand Province, has been the site of regular insurgent mortar attacks over the past two months and civilians have been forced from their homes leaving the dam largely unservicable. From www.mod.uk

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• Kajaki
• hydroelectric
• dam
• Afghanistan
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[nickhigg2]

The taliban only banned opium production for 1 year that they were in power. Now without doubt they profit from opium production. The Taliban accepted foreign aid- there were many NGOs operating in A'stan during the Talib time. It's all very weel to suggest they were following away of life independant of modern technology- it's the imposing of it on others by force that is the problem.

[jedisangin]

The Kajaki dam was built, ironically, by the US 48 years ago.The Talban does not want the hydro plant to work at all. They want lawlessness and anarchy, therefore they continue to attack the allied forces in and around the dam. We lost 16 men to a ambush in the town of Kajaki in May of 06. To say that "only after Nato and American needs are fulfilled" is pure "Bovine scatology!" If the people in Musa Qala, Kajaki, and Sangin want power... help drive the Taliban out for good!

[SNLV18]

Im here and both turbines are operational. the third will not be installed till the powerlines have been upgraded... who knows when that will happen!!!

[Karl0010]

I was there for about six weeks in 06 when LBG had a German company in trying to fix the second turbine. It was a pretty impressive setup and I hope for the sake of the Afghans that they get it all operational again.

[Sandler23]

The Taliban are simply trying to follow a way of life that is independant of modern technology. They also banned the production of opium in Afghanistan. The Taliban were trying to be self-sufficient, rather than be dependant on foreign aid and influence.

[temptation4life]

"Once fully operational the dam will bring electricity to 1.8 million people. "

There has been no operation for ages, at least not after Americans took over. It is going to provide millions with power only after Nato and American needs are fulfilled and further infrastructure built --- A decade or two later probably! Gosh, what a shame!