Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam which is also known as Salma Dam in western province of Herat on Saturday.

Modi is set to join Ghani on Saturday where the two leaders will officially inaugurate the dam which has been established with Indian aid.

Ghani has said that the inauguration of the dam will open a new chapter for the development of Afghanistan.

He thanked the Indians for efforts for completing the dam.

Meanwhile, Herat residents have warmly welcomed the establishment of the dam forty years after the initial planning for the dam started.

Ghani has said that the dam will play a key role in developing the agricultural sector in the country for undertaking development projects for Herat.

"Tomorrow we will inaugurate Afghan-India Friendship Dam, inauguration of the dam will bring new chapters of hopes for the country and it is a great achievement for the people," Ghani said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Afghanistan on Saturday where he will hold talks with Ghani and inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, in Herat province.

The Indian government has provided $300 million USD for the construction of Salma Dam.

Herat residents and officials have undertaken special preparations in wake of Modi's visit to the province.

"It is a very happy moment that after years of delay, finally the Salma Dam is becoming operational, this will enable us to use our own electricity produced in our own country, it is a matter of pride," Herat resident Lailuma Hamidi said.

"The inauguration of Salma Dam has direct impact on agriculture and industrial sectors in Herat, the Dam will bring lights to our homes and our lands will be under irrigation," another resident Toryalai Azizi said.

Thousands of Afghan security forces have been deployed in Herat in wake of Indian PM visit to the province.

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