BHEL commissions two hydel units in Afghanistan

In the execution of the Salma hydro project, the state-run company faced numerous challenges in the movement of men and material

State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) today said that it has commissioned two units of 14 Megawatts each at Salma Hydro Electric Project in Afghanistan.

The Salma dam, or the Afghan-India Friendship dam, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, BHEL said in a statement.

In the execution of the Salma hydro project, BHEL faced numerous challenges in the movement of men and material through difficult terrains, it said.

"BHEL successfully overcame all the challenges/obstacles, and synchronised both the units well within the targets set out by Ministry of External Affairs," it said.

In recognition of BHEL's contribution towards setting up of the project, BHEL CMD Atul Sobti was honoured with an appreciation shield by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharati.

This project has been funded under government of India's grant to Afghanistan.