Afghan Government Assumes Direct Control of Qosh Tepa Canal Project

The management of Afghanistan’s large–scale water project is undergoing a transition. Within the next six months, the first phase of the Qosh Tepa irrigation canal will move from the National Development Company of Afghanistan to the direct control of the country’s Administrative Office. This change in oversight was finalized during a joint meeting involving representatives from the agricultural sector.

The transfer of the infrastructure facility marks the completion of the initial stage of the artificial waterway, which is designed to transform the agricultural landscape of the arid region. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock has established a special commission to conduct an audit of the finished infrastructure. This commission is tasked with ensuring that contractors address technical deficiencies before the final handover documents are signed.

The National Development Company was responsible for the physical implementation of the project, while oversight and ownership rights were held by the state apparatus. Since initial construction work at the site has concluded, the project is now entering the formal transition phase.

This shift in management is driven by a requirement for more stringent control over water resources and the development of surrounding territories. Direct administration is expected to facilitate the rapid resolution of organizational challenges. Additionally, a comprehensive 91–point program has been approved for land development along the new canal bed. This plan encompasses five areas of environmental management and economic activity, including the establishment of agro–industrial zones, the development of logistics for marketing farm products, and the stimulation of investment in newly irrigated areas.