KABUL - The Chabahar port, a trilateral project involving Afghanistan, Iran and India, will be operational by 2018, hopes India’s minister of transport, highways and shipping.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said during his visit to Tehran on Saturday: “We are keen on developing the Chabahar port and are hopeful of starting operations in 12 to 18 months.”
Situated in the Sistan-Baluchestan pro­vi­nce on Iran’s southern coast, the port can be easily accessed from India’s west coast, bypassing Pakistan. It will lessen Afghanistan’s reliance on using Pakistani ports.
Gadkari was quoted as saying by The Times of India:  “Civil construction work has started. We have finalised tenders worth Rs3.8 billion for equipment. Once the port becomes operational, it will become a growth engine.” (Pajhwok)