Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the President of Turkmenistan, has directed officials to expedite the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. During a cabinet meeting, Berdimuhamedov stressed that the project must progress swiftly in 2025.
He further highlighted that prioritising the energy sector would significantly enhance Turkmenistan’s oil and gas capacity.
TAPI Pipeline: A Major Regional Project
The TAPI pipeline, one of the largest regional energy projects, spans 1,814 kilometres, including 214 kilometres in Turkmenistan, 774 kilometres in Afghanistan, and 826 kilometres in Pakistan.
The pipeline is designed to transport 33 billion cubic metres of gas annually from the Galkynysh field in southern Turkmenistan, passing through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, as well as Quetta and Multan in Pakistan, before terminating in Fazilka, India.
Progress and Future Prospects
Muhammad Murad Amanov, head of the TAPI project, previously stated that construction is advancing rapidly, with six kilometres of the gas pipeline already completed in Afghanistan.
Practical work on the TAPI project in Afghanistan commenced on 11 September 2024, with the presence of officials from both the Taliban and Turkmenistan.
The Taliban administration claims that Afghanistan will earn $400 million annually from the project, citing it as a key economic initiative for the region.
