KABUL, Nov 30: An Indian research team is in Afghanistan to carry out a survey for building a hydroelectric plant which will provide the Bamiyan region with electricity for the first time, a United Nations spokesman said on Sunday.

“It will be the first electricity generated for the central highlands,” Manoel de Almeida de Silva told newsmen.

The team from the Water and Power Consultancy Services is studying the impact the dam will have on the Bamiyan region.

“The Indian government is co-funding the project with the Aga Khan Development Network, that will build the hydroelectric plant,” the spokesman said.

Work on the $1.2 million plant will start in mid-March.

The station would be built in Tubchi village and generate 750 kilowatts to provide electricity to Bamiyan and around 17 villages in the area, he said.—AFP