Thursday, June 23 2005 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a major move to help war- ravaged Afghanistan rebuild its infrastructure, India today (Jun 23, 2005) agreed to construct a 220 KV double circuit transmission line to start power supply from Uzbekistan to Kabul and a power sub-station in the Afghan capital at a total cost of Rs 478.72 crore.

The approval to the two projects was granted by the Union Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in New Delhi.

The transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul would be implemented within a period of 42 months, he said, adding that the entire expenditure would be in the nature of assistance or grant to Afghanistan.

The approved project is envisaged to supply power to Kabul from generating stations of its neighbouring Uzbekistan through the transmission line from Tirmiz via Pul-e-Khumir to Kabul.

Besides acting as a catalytic agent to speed up the economic rehabilitation and development of the region, the projects would enhance India's presence and profile in Afghanistan, Mukherjee said.