‘Shebar to be used alternative for Salang Pass’

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some residents are worried that after the closure of Salang Tunnel the prices of food items would surge while local officials said that commercial goods would be transferred to Kabul from Shebar to Kabul.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works the concert work of Salang Tunnel gets underway and the vital tunnel would be closed for traffic from September 9.

It is pertinent to mention that Salang Tunnel connects north and southern parts of Afghanistan and is considered an important trade rout. Most commercial goods transferred to Kabul from Salang Pass.

Najma Karkar, the resident of Khoshal Khan area of Kabul City, said: “Last week my husband went shopping and shopkeepers said to purchase more items because Salang Pass would be closed and the prices of essential items may jump.”

While complaining against economic problems she said: “In these condition it is not possible to purchase more items and keep them at home, the government should stop hoarding.”

Rahmatullah, the resident of Macroryan area of Kabul, said he was worried about surge in the prices of essential items. “Most of items, including food and fuel, arrive in Kabul from Salang, the prices may jump when the concert process of the tunnel start.”

He asked the government to search alternative route and stop shopkeepers from price hike and hoarding.

Khan Jan Alkozai, first deputy head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), said: “There is no doubt that Salang is a vital pass but the road should be constructed and there is no other option.”

“There will be impact on the market but we have an alternative most fuel and food items would come via Torghondi and will inter Kabul from Shebar.”

Akhundzada Abdul Salaam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, said the process of import and export will not stop by the construction work at Salang Tunnel. All items coming to Kabul from Salang Pass would be coming from Shebar Pass.

He pledged the government would strictly monitor the market and the closure of Salang Pass will have no impact on the market.

He termed the construction of Salang Tunnel important and said efforts were underway to expedite the process of construction.

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