MoRRD inks agreement for gravelling of Wakhan road

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MoRRD) has signed a 143-million afghanis agreement with a private firm for the gravelling of the second phase of the Wakhan road in northeastern Badakhshan province.

The contract was inked in Kabul between Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Mullah Mohammad Younis Akhundzada and Chief of Afghan Sadaqat Company Ghausuddin.

During the signing ceremony, Akhundzada explained the road spans 71 kilometers with a width of up to 10 meters. Practical construction work will begin once weather conditions improve.

Funded by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the project will cost 143 million afghanis, he said.

Akhundzada also provided updates on the first phase of the Wakhan road, which covers 50 kilometers. The contract for that phase was signed last year for 181 million afghanis, and construction is currently in progress.

According to him, the total length of both phases is 121 kilometers, and the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 1404 (solar year).

Akhundzada emphasized that this road will serve as a crucial economic and trade route between Afghanistan and China.

Meanwhile, Mullah Noorulhadi Adil, spokesperson for MoRRD, explained that the first phase of the Wakhan road runs from Bazhai Gonbad area to the Chinese border, while the second phase extends from Bazhai Gonbad to the Broghil area of Wakhan.

Ghausuddin, head of Afghan Sadaqat Company, pledged to complete the project on time and with high quality. However, he pointed out that low oxygen levels and extreme cold in the Wakhan region pose challenges to their work.

Wakhan is a mountainous district in Badakhshan province, commonly known as the Wakhan Corridor. This strategic region serves as a land bridge connecting Afghanistan with South and Central Asia.

kk/ma