Salang Highway Reconstruction; Truck Traffic to Be Closed from July 9
The Taliban’s new Ministry of Public Works restrictions could affect the transportation of goods, transit costs and trade between northern and southern Afghanistan.
Kabul Times News | Report: Mansour Sharifi
The Ministry of Public Works in Afghanistan has announced that the Salang Highway will be closed to truck traffic from July 9 until further notice for a major reconstruction project.
The ministry has asked drivers and transport companies to complete their cargo transportation in both the north and south directions before the restrictions begin and to refrain from traveling on the highway after that.
The Salang Highway is the most important transit route in Afghanistan, connecting the north and south of the country, and a large part of the transportation of commercial goods, raw materials and consumer goods is carried out through this route.
Economic experts believe that the closure of this route, even if temporary, could increase transportation costs, delay the supply chain of goods, and fluctuate the prices of some items in domestic markets. Also, with the restriction of the movement of cargo vehicles, the activities of transport companies and the trade process between the northern and central provinces will be affected.
The Ministry of Public Works has not yet announced a specific time for the completion of the reconstruction and full reopening of the Salang Highway.
Salang Highway Reconstruction; Truck Traffic to Be Closed from July 9
