Afghanistan has approved a fresh set of development projects with a combined value of approximately $99 million, covering key sectors including hospital construction, dams and electricity infrastructure, according to information reported by ANI. The move comes as the Afghan authorities continue to prioritise domestic infrastructure and reconstruction projects.

The projects are focused on areas considered important for public services and basic infrastructure, particularly healthcare, water management and power supply. The approvals are expected to support construction and related development work in multiple parts of Afghanistan, although detailed information on the individual projects and their locations was not available in the supplied report. The latest approval follows earlier decisions by Afghanistan's procurement authorities to fund infrastructure projects through the country's own budget. In May 2026, Afghanistan approved 15 projects worth around $68 million, including roads, hospitals, water-reservoir dams and electricity supply schemes. (Xinhua News)

Healthcare infrastructure is among the areas receiving attention as Afghanistan seeks to expand access to essential services. Hospital projects are particularly significant in a country where access to medical facilities remains uneven between major cities and more remote areas. India has also been involved in healthcare assistance to Afghanistan, with the Indian government stating in December 2025 that it had supported the construction of five maternity and health clinics, a 30-bed hospital in Kabul and several specialised healthcare facilities. (Press Information Bureau)

The focus on dams and power infrastructure also reflects Afghanistan's continuing effort to improve water management and domestic electricity capacity. Hydropower remains an important part of the country's energy system, while dams serve both electricity generation and irrigation needs. Earlier Afghan development programmes have included projects involving water reservoirs, electricity supply and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The country's procurement authorities have previously said that such projects are being financed through government resources. (Xinhua News)

The latest $99-million approval is therefore part of a broader infrastructure push rather than an isolated development. Afghanistan's authorities have repeatedly announced new road, energy, water and public-service projects since 2021, with procurement decisions covering both new construction and rehabilitation work. In December 2025, for example, 11 development and infrastructure projects worth about $23.2 million were approved, including electricity schemes, airport maintenance and road construction. (Amu TV)

Further details on the individual projects, including their locations, implementation timelines, contractors and exact funding allocations, will be important for assessing the scale and likely impact of the latest announcement. For now, the approval signals continued government spending on core infrastructure, with hospitals, water projects and electricity facilities forming key parts of Afghanistan's current development agenda.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed authorities to complete electricity infrastructure upgrades in Bilaspur within a fixed timeline after reviewing measures being undertaken by the state power department and the Municipal Corporation to improve civic services.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal reviewed progress reports submitted by both departments and instructed officials to file a fresh status report by August 25 while ensuring that all proposed works are completed in a time-bound manner.

Three New Substations Planned

To address recurring issues of power outages, tripping and low voltage, the state power distribution company has proposed the construction of three new substations and two additional electricity supply zones in Bilaspur.

The proposed supply zones, Mangla Zone and Koni Zone, have already been forwarded to the power department headquarters in Raipur for approval.

Officials also informed the court that land allocation procedures have begun for a new Extra High Voltage (EHV) substation at Lokhandi village, while separate requests have been submitted to the district administration for land to establish 33/11 kV substations near Jawali Nala (Old Bus Stand area) and Mangla River View.

Damaged Poles Replaced

The electricity department stated that 21 deteriorated cement electricity poles, considered a safety risk, have been removed and replaced with steel poles.

To improve emergency response during the monsoon, a tender was issued on July 23 for the procurement of new sky-lift vehicles, which will assist in repairing high-tension lines and transformers. Until new equipment is available, the department is coordinating with the Municipal Corporation to use vehicles from other government agencies whenever required.

₹10 Crore for Covered Power Lines

The department also informed the High Court that the state government has sanctioned an additional ₹10 crore to convert open overhead electricity lines into covered conductors, a move aimed at reducing power disruptions caused by falling advertisement boards, tree branches and strong winds.

Authorities have also identified illegal hoardings and structures affecting power lines using GPS mapping and shared the details with the Municipal Corporation for removal.

Additional field staff have been deployed to strengthen maintenance and emergency response operations.

Municipal Corporation Reports Monsoon Preparedness

The Bilaspur Municipal Corporation informed the court that a 24-hour Flood Control Cell is functioning at Vikas Bhavan, Nehru Chowk to monitor monsoon-related complaints.

Officials said desilting of drains across all eight municipal zones was completed before the onset of the monsoon.

Complaints received at the control room are being recorded and addressed promptly. Preventive measures, including bleaching powder spraying, fogging operations and regular drain cleaning, are also being carried out in waterlogged areas to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

High Court Seeks Progress Report

While noting the measures taken by both departments, the Division Bench directed officials to ensure that all proposed infrastructure projects move forward without unnecessary delay.

The court has asked the authorities to submit a comprehensive status report before the next hearing on August 25, detailing the progress of all ongoing works.

After enduring intense heat and humidity throughout the day, Bilaspur experienced heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms on Monday evening, bringing much-needed relief from soaring temperatures. However, the season's first major downpour exposed the city's inadequate monsoon preparedness, leaving several roads and residential colonies waterlogged while widespread power outages disrupted normal life.

The powerful thunderstorm uprooted trees and damaged electricity infrastructure across the city, resulting in prolonged power cuts in more than half of Bilaspur. Even the VIP zone, which houses the official residences of the District Collector, Commissioner, judges and the city MLA, remained without electricity until nearly 11 p.m.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bilaspur recorded a maximum temperature of 38°C, nearly 4.9 degrees above normal. Despite Monday's rainfall, the city has received only 16.1 mm of rainfall during June, contributing to persistent heat conditions. Bilaspur also remained Chhattisgarh's hottest city on eight occasions during the past 13 days.

First Heavy Rain Exposes Civic Infrastructure

The Municipal Corporation had earlier claimed that drains and canals had been cleaned three times before the onset of the monsoon. However, the first spell of heavy rain led to severe waterlogging across major roads, intersections and residential areas. Overflowing drains and poor drainage systems caused significant inconvenience to commuters, residents and traders.

Following the incident, the Mayor directed all zonal commissioners to inspect waterlogged areas, submit detailed reports and initiate immediate corrective measures to prevent similar situations during the remainder of the monsoon season.

Strong Winds Uproot Trees, Damage Vehicles

The thunderstorm caused several trees to collapse across the city. A large tree fell near the Collector's residence, damaging a parked car. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Similar incidents were reported near IG Square and other locations where fallen trees damaged electricity lines and obstructed traffic.

Municipal Corporation teams, assisted by JCB machines, worked late into the night to clear roads, remove fallen trees and restore normal traffic movement.

Power Infrastructure Suffers Major Damage

The storm caused extensive damage to Bilaspur's electricity network. An 11 kV high-voltage power line snapped near the Collector's residence, disrupting electricity supply throughout the VIP area.

The 33 kV main transmission line connected to the Tifra and Mopka substations also suffered a breakdown. Additionally, nine insulators on an 11 kV line between Birkona and Chantidih burst simultaneously, leaving several localities across the Arpa River without electricity until late at night.

A current transformer (CT) failure at the Shanichari substation further disrupted power supply in nearby areas for nearly four hours.

Neighbourhoods including Sarkanda, Mangla, Nehru Nagar, Kududand, Aman Vihar, Gol Bazaar, Masanganj, Hemunagar, Vidyanagar, Dayalband, Vyapar Vihar, Imlibhatha, Tikrapara, Ganesh Nagar and Ayodhya Nagar remained affected by prolonged outages.

More Rain Expected Today

The India Meteorological Department has forecast further rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across Bilaspur and neighbouring districts on Tuesday due to active weather systems over the region.