Afghanistan Rolls Out Ambitious Project: What You Need to Know About Qosh Tepa Canal
Qosh Tepa Canal is set to divert 2.6 trillion gallons of water annually from Abu Darya, potentially reducing their water shares by 15 percent to neighboring countries as 60 percent work completed of its entire project
In a surprising turn of events, Afghanistan has emerged at the forefront of Central Asia’s mega-projects with the ambitious construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal. This monumental undertaking aims to divert water from the vital Amu Darya River, promising potential economic revival for Afghanistan but sparking grave concerns among its downstream neighbors, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
A Dream Decades in the Making:
The idea of harnessing the Amu Darya’s waters is not new. Tracing back to the mid-20th century, under the progressive vision of Muhammad Da Khan, Afghanistan first conceived plans to divert this river to combat its harsh agricultural challenges. However, these plans lay dormant for decades until, in March 2022, Afghan officials broke ground on the Qosh Tepa Canal. By January 2023, the project had gathered momentum, with construction progressing faster than anticipated.
The Scale and Speed of Construction:
The sheer scale of the Qosh Tepa Canal project is staggering. Initially planned to take 24 months, the first phase was completed in just 18 months, carving a 67-mile long canal at a cost of $94 million. Astonishingly, this colossal effort is funded entirely by domestic revenue, with no international aid—a remarkable feat for a nation grappling with economic hardship. The project’s second phase, extending the canal further, was reported 81 percent complete by the end of 2024, and overall progress had reached 61 percent in less than three years.
Economic Lifeline for Afghanistan:
For Afghanistan, the canal is more than a waterway—it represents hope. The project is poised to irrigate 1.36 million acres of dry, abandoned northern lands, transforming them into fertile grounds capable of supporting diverse crops. This agricultural boost is expected to create jobs for a quarter of a million people, a significant relief in a country where unemployment recently spiked to over 14 percent.
A Looming Crisis for Neighbors:
Yet, Afghanistan’s gain could be its neighbors’ loss. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, reliant on the Amu Darya for their agriculture-dependent economies, face a stark reality. The canal is set to divert 2.6 trillion gallons of water annually, potentially reducing their water shares by 15 percent. With agriculture comprising a significant portion of their GDPs, particularly Uzbekistan’s vast cotton production, the ripple effects could be devastating, exacerbating the ecological disaster of the rapidly vanishing Aral Sea.
Environmental and Diplomatic Tensions:
The environmental implications extend beyond national borders. Experts warn that further depletion of the Amu Darya could lead to irreversible damage to the river’s ecosystem and the Aral Sea, already a shadow of its former self. Dust storms laden with toxic salts and pesticides threaten health and agriculture across the region, and diplomatic tensions simmer as Afghanistan asserts its right to resources previously denied under Soviet-era allocations.
As the Qosh Tepa Canal races towards completion, the stakes are high. For Afghanistan, it’s a bold step towards self-reliance and agricultural prosperity. For Central Asia, it’s a potential flashpoint for conflict over dwindling water resources. The world watches as Afghanistan’s gamble unfolds—a testament to human ingenuity, resilience, and the complex interdependence of shared natural resources.
