KABUL – Afghan *Officials from the Ministry of Mines said practical work onthe Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project might bedelayed as the route of the pipeline is not clear and the land over whichthe pipeline runs still needs to be acquired. *
Work on the TAPI pipeline in Afghanistan started five months ago.
“We will first do assessments on the environment and the acquisition ofland on the TAPI route and then we will step into the construction phase.It means that we will need to go through some stages ahead ofconstruction,” Abdul Qadir Mutfi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Minestold TOLOnews.
An analyst said a weak performance by government has slowed down work onthe major economic project.
“There is not much time left for practical work on the project. Gas willnot be transferred through the pipeline by 2020 if the process goes as itis,” said Zaman Hashemi, an analyst in mining affairs.
“We urge government not to delay this project as it will badly affect thecountry’s economy,” said Simin Barekzai, an MP.
Meanwhile, the spokesman said so far at least 11 agreements have beensigned between partner countries on TAPI.
The TAPI pipeline project was inaugurated by leaders of four countries inJanuary 2016. The 1,814-kilometer gas pipeline will pass throughAfghanistan to Pakistan and India. At least 816 kilometers of the pipelinewill pass through the territory of Afghanistan.
The pipeline passes through Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Helmand and Kandaharprovinces of Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, the TAPI pipeline will be constructed alongside theKandahar–Herat Highway in western Afghanistan, and then via Quetta andMultan in Pakistan.
The final destination of the pipeline will be the Indian town of Fazilka,near its border with Pakistan. The project will cost $22.5 billion USD.