As pipe-laying operations for the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline (TAPI) progress across western Herat, technical delegations from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan convened for a two-day summit in the province to discuss infrastructure planning, routing, and the establishment of a local gas distribution network for Herat city.
Kabul 24: The expert-level discussions aimed to lay the groundwork for urban, commercial, and industrial utilization of natural gas supplied by the pipeline.
According to technical details released following the meetings, joint engineering teams evaluated technical standards, safety protocols, and optimal routes for expanding the urban supply grid.
Discussions focused primarily on strategy for supplying gas to Herat’s industrial parks, commercial hubs, residential areas, and government facilities. Mohammad Nabi Bahar, spokesman for state-owned corporations, confirmed that technical criteria, operational frameworks, and line expansion parameters were thoroughly reviewed to ensure smooth connection between the main trunkline and municipal infrastructure.
The steady progress of this major infrastructure project has been widely welcomed by residents and local business leaders in Herat. Local entrepreneurs have urged authorities to expedite the construction of the urban distribution network, highlighting that access to affordable, reliable natural gas will serve as a major economic catalyst reducing operational overhead for manufacturers and driving regional industrial growth.
Under the official timeline set by Turkmenistan, TAPI gas pipelines are scheduled to reach the Herat Industrial Park by the end of 2026. However, local officials noted that ongoing construction in the western sector of Herat is advancing ahead of schedule, raising expectations that pipe-laying targets may be achieved prior to the designated deadline.
