Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 7
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
An international tender will be announced soon to select the leader of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project consortium, the Turkmen Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry said May 7.
The ministry did not specify the exact date of the tender.
TAPI's total length is planned to be 1,735 kilometers, including 200 kilometers running through Turkmenistan, 735 kilometers - through Afghanistan, 800 kilometers - through Pakistan up to the Fazilka settlement on the border with India.
The pipeline's annual capacity will be 33 billion cubic meters.
"The economic feasibility of this project, which is based on the high demand for natural gas in South Asia, is also emphasized by the fact that none of its participants has any doubt in Turkmenistan's ability to ensure the long-term gas supplies on this route," the ministry said.
The ministry draws attention to the fact that the construction of this transnational energy route, aside from purely economic tasks, will allow the countries participating in the project to solve a number of important social issues, including those related to the creation of additional jobs, and formation of transport and communication infrastructure.
"Ultimately, all this will help to strengthen economic relations, political and social stability in the entire region," said the ministry.
Edited by CN