The Taliban has announced its readiness to commence practical work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project in Afghanistan, as reported by Etilaatroz. The announcement came following a meeting between Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi and his Turkmen counterpart, Rashid Muradov, during Mutaqqi's visit to Turkmenistan.
Originally launched in 2016 with an anticipated completion date of 2019, the TAPI project faced delays due to various challenges, including the inability of Afghanistan to fulfill its commitments and the resurgence of the Taliban in the region. Despite initial setbacks, the project encompasses plans for both gas transmission and infrastructure development, including 500 kilowatts of electricity and railway connectivity.
During their meeting, the foreign ministers of the Taliban and Turkmenistan discussed not only the TAPI project but also explored avenues for enhancing trade relations, cooperation in the railway sector, and increasing electricity imports to Afghanistan.
Covering a distance of 1,680 kilometers, with 735 kilometers passing through Afghanistan, this pipeline is anticipated to yield more than $200 mn in yearly revenue for Afghanistan and facilitate the establishment of around 12,000 fresh employment opportunities.
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