KABUL, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government's Ministry of Energy and Water has been working to divert the Panjshir River to the national capital Kabul as part of efforts to alleviate the water shortage crisis in the city of 6 million residents.

"The survey, design, and technical studies of the Panjshir water transfer project have been completed by the Ministry of Energy and Water, and the project budget has been sent to the leadership of the Islamic Emirate for approval," local television channel Ariana News cited Matiullah Abid, the spokesman of the ministry, as saying on Wednesday night.

Abid said that the "water conduit project will cover a distance of over 200 km" starting from Bazarak in Panjshir province and ending in Tarakhail area of Kabul city.

According to the official, the initial phase of reviewing and planning of the project has been completed and construction work will start as soon as the budget is approved.

About 80 percent of Afghanistan's 35 million population, including Kabul residents, reportedly lack access to potable water. Furthermore, underground water sources, especially in Kabul, are expected to decline in the coming years due to excessive consumption by the growing population. Enditem