KABUL - The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says significant progress on the multibillion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
Practical work of the project would start soon, Abdul Qader Mutafi, spokesman for MoMP, told Pajhwok Afghan News in an exclusive interview.
Considerable had been achieved the gas project, including work on legal procedures, administrative issues, financial and technical studies.
Mutafi said several legal documents regarding the scheme, including agreements among governments and regulations, had been approved and signed.
Project status
Mutafi said the gas pipeline project was being implemented in accordance with the plan and timetable and had made good progress.   
The first phase of the project involves finalisation of a legal framework, land management, technical surveys and funding.
He informed the government of Afghanistan had inked a key agreement under the legal framework. A number of other accords are ready and would be signed soon.
There were enough funds to implement the pipeline, he claimed, saying the Asian Development Bank recently evinced an interest in providing $1billion for the project.
Benefits of TAPI
The official said Afghanistan would annually earn $400 million in transit fee from the project, which would create jobs for thousands of Afghans.
He added the residents of areas, through which the pipeline would pass, would benefit from gas. As part of the project, roads will be constructed in Afghanistan, whose economy will see a boost.
General information
Staying on the drawing-board for over 15 years, the TAPI gas pipeline project was approved by leaders of the four countries in Ashgabat on Dec. 12, 2010.
The 1814-km gas pipeline is expected to deliver 33BCM natural gas to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India per annum. (Pajhwok)