This photo taken on Oct. 20, 2025 shows equipment for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat province, western Afghanistan. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Formally commenced its construction a year ago, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, designed to transfer the natural gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan, has been regarded by Afghans as a major development project that could benefit the impoverished post-war country economically.
"The project, which transports Turkmenistan gas to Pakistan and India, could serve as a viable source of energy for the western region of Afghanistan," local economic expert Rafiq Shahir told Xinhua in a recent interview.
After about three decades of suspension, work for the TAPI project began in September last year. So far, 14 km of gas pipeline has been installed in Afghanistan's Herat province, and the land for 100 km more has been cleared.
Afghanistan would earn nearly 500 million U.S. dollars for royalty or transit fee annually from the essential 1,814 km project if implemented, the expert believes.
"Implementation of the project would facilitate Afghans with access to cheaper energy, which is vital for the families' economy on one hand, and on the other hand, around 500 million U.S. dollars could be added to Afghanistan's budget annually by collecting transit fees," Shahir said.
Struggling to recover from decades of war, Afghanistan largely depends on imported energy as the country pays 280 million dollars annually for some 700 megawatts of electricity from the neighboring Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The post-war Afghanistan, according to the expert, needs a sustainable source of fuel and electricity, which are the main factors of development and progress in the country.
Echoing the expert, a resident of the Herat province, Asif Jahani, believed the TAPI project could help the war-torn country rebuild its economy.
"TAPI is one of those projects that Afghans had waited for years to see its completion," Jahani said with joy, saying it would create job opportunities for thousands of people.
Advocating for early implementation of TAPI, Mines and Petroleum Ministry Spokesman Humayun Afghan noted that the project would benefit the whole region, with Afghanistan in particular.
It will not only boost regional connectivity and economic activities, but also create job opportunities and provide natural gas at a lower price, he said. ■
This photo taken on Oct. 20, 2025 shows equipment for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat province, western Afghanistan. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
