Kabul (TDI): Afghanistan has officially launched the construction phase of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, marking a significant step in one of the region’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.
Crucial materials and equipment have been delivered to the border areas between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, enabling work to begin on the Afghan stretch of the pipeline, The Times of Central Asia reported citing local media.
Stretching across 1,814 kilometers, the TAPI pipeline will see 774 kilometers traverse Afghan territory.
Once completed, the pipeline is set to transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, promising substantial economic benefits for the region.
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Afghanistan will receive 5 billion cubic meters of gas annually, and the project is expected to create over 12,000 jobs within the country.
Economic analysts project the initiative will generate approximately $1 billion in annual revenue for Afghanistan.
TAPI Pipeline
The concept of the TAPI pipeline was first broached in the early 2000s, and in 2013, an agreement was signed to form a consortium for the project.
The majority stake—85%—is held by Turkmenistan’s state-owned company, Turkmengaz, while Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India each own a 5% share.
Also Read: Turkmenistan Implements TAPI Pipeline with Afghan Authorities
Work on the Turkmenistan section of the pipeline commenced in 2015 and has been completed.
Afghanistan now takes center stage, with construction of the section from Serhetabat to Herat having begun in September this year.
