Repair of third part of Salang Highway started

KABUL (TOLOnews): The Ministry of Public Works announced the start of reconstruction work on the third part of the northern Salang highway.
According to the ministry, the road is more than 21 kilometers long and seven meters wide, with reconstruction work handed over to two private companies.
The Chamber of Industry and Mines emphasized the importance of Salang Highway in the development of trade, emphasizing the need for quality and speed of the reconstruction work of this highway.
The acting Minister of Public Works inaugurated the reconstruction work of the third part of the northern Salang highway during his visit to Parwan and Baghlan provinces.
According to the ministry’s information, the contract for reconstruction of the 21-kilometer road has been given to two private companies.
“The steps taken so far to rebuild the Salang Highway are important and appreciated. We hope that speed, quality, and maintenance of this highway and other highways in Afghanistan to be the priority of the Ministry of Public Works,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, First Vice President of Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines.
However, some experts also consider the rebuilding the Salang highway to be beneficial for better transportation of goods and to facilitate the movement of all vehicles.
“The Salang Highway is important from different angles. Transit of commercial items with lower cost and short time is one of the issues that adds to the economic and commercial importance of this highway and on the other hand, having a standard highway is considered an important condition for regional connectivity,” said Shaker Yaqubi, economic analyst.
“The Salang route plays an important role as a key route for the transit of goods and also the connecting point of the northern provinces of the country with the capital Kabul and as such, the connecting point of Central Asia with South Asia,” said Qutbuddin Yaqubi, economic analyst.
Work is currently underway on the Salang Tunnel.
According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Public Works, 85% of the reconstruction work of the tunnel has been completed and will be put into operation in the coming days.