Rehabilitation of 45-km Panjshir highway begins at cost of 40 million afghanis

Work has begun on rehabilitating 45 kilometres of the main road in Panjshir province at a cost of 40 million afghanis, provincial officials said on Monday.

According to Mohammad Fahim Muwahid, Panjshir's director of public works, the project is funded from the development budget of the Ministry of Public Works and covers the stretch from the Dalan Sang area of Shutul district to the Doabi area of Bazarak, the provincial centre.

Officials said the work includes repairing and patching the road surface, building gabion retaining walls, culverts and roadside drainage channels, and other related works. The Ministry of Public Works has contracted the project to the private sector.

The project was launched at a ceremony attended by Panjshir governor Mohammad Agha Hakim, local officials and tribal elders. The governor said the ا.ا.ا government pays special attention to infrastructure and development projects, and that residents of the province have seen such projects.

Officials say the rehabilitation will prevent further deterioration of the road and make travel easier and safer for local residents, especially drivers.

The road is the main highway of Panjshir, used every day by residents of the valley and drivers to travel and to transport goods.