Afghan officials in western Herat province have announced a significant progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline this week, confirming that a 91-kilometer (56-mile) stretch of the route is now prepared for pipe installation.

The milestone marks a critical phase for the 1,800-kilometer project, which is designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to India, passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Approximately 816 kilometres of the total pipeline length will run through Afghan territory. 

During a recent progress meeting, Herat Governor Shaikh Mawlawi Islam Jar met with Beganj Abdullayev, the TAPI project lead for Afghanistan, and the consul general of Turkmenistan to review the construction timeline. 

Mohammad Yousuf Syedi, a spokesperson for the governor, said the provincial administration is satisfied with the current momentum of the project.

Syedi said the governor praised the joint efforts between the two nations, noting that sustained cooperation has made the initiative more organized and structured. He added that such coordination is essential for ensuring the pipeline is completed on schedule.

According to Abdullayev, the prepared 91-kilometer segment in Herat has undergone extensive site preparation to allow for immediate installation. 

To support the technical demands of the construction phase, several operational camps have been established along the route to provide logistical support and housing for personnel.

The consul general of Turkmenistan credited the Islamic Emirate for its role in facilitating the project, emphasizing that the current level of support is vital for meeting upcoming deadlines. 

Turkmen officials indicated that, under the current operational plan, work on the pipeline within Herat province is expected to be finished by the end of the current Gregorian year.

Once fully operational, the TAPI pipeline is expected to carry 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. 

Beyond its role as an energy corridor, the project is viewed as a significant economic driver for the region, promising to provide Afghanistan with substantial transit revenue and thousands of local jobs.