Afghanistan has commenced the practical phase of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. Local media report that essential materials and equipment have been delivered to the border areas between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, enabling work to start on the Afghan section of the pipeline.
The TAPI gas pipeline will span 1,814 kilometers, with 774 kilometers crossing Afghanistan. Once operational, the pipeline will transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, significantly boosting economic development across the region.
Afghanistan is set to receive 5 billion cubic meters of gas each year from the pipeline and create over 12,000 jobs for its citizens. Economists estimate that the project could generate approximately $1 billion annually in revenue for Afghanistan.
Discussions around the TAPI pipeline began in the early 2000s, and in 2013, an agreement was signed to form a consortium. The Turkmen state-owned company Turkmengaz holds an 85% stake, while Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India each hold 5% shares.
Construction on the Turkmenistan section of the pipeline began in 2015 and has since been completed. Afghanistan is the next country to advance the project, with work on the section from Serhetabat to Herat initiated in September this year.
