Construction has begun on 58 development projects in Mandol district of western Nuristan province, with a total budget of 90 million afghani.

Local officials stated that these projects include the construction of roads and agricultural canals, providing employment opportunities for hundreds of people in the province.

The construction of eleven agricultural canals is also part of these projects.

Ehsanullah Ahmad, head of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Nuristan, said: "The budget for these 58 projects is 90 million afghani. The financial support is provided by UNOPS, an international organization. Technical work is being handled by the World Food Programme, while implementation is being overseen by the Nuristan Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development."

Faraydoon Samim, spokesperson for the governor of Nuristan, commented on the significance of the projects:
"These projects will create jobs for hundreds of young people and will connect western Nuristan to other provinces such as Panjshir and Laghman."

Meanwhile, local residents are calling for the implementation of additional development projects in the district.

Faizur Rahman, a resident of Mandol district, told TOLOnews: "About 10,000 people will use the road that is planned to be built. Previously, people in this area relied on animals for transportation."

Juma Gul, another resident of Mandol district, said:
"In the past, people from different areas used to go to Iran for work. Now, thankfully, our region has become like Iran because there’s plenty of work here."

These public projects in western Nuristan are being launched just days after the leader of the Islamic Emirate approved the budget for the construction of two hydroelectric dams in Nurgram district of the province.