Taliban Launches Restoration Work on Kabul-Gardez Highway
The Taliban administration has announced the start of repair and resurfacing work on a 76-kilometer stretch of the Kabul–Gardez highway. The project, which will be carried out in collaboration with the private sector, is expected to cost 17.4 million Afghanis. An official inauguration ceremony was held, attended by the Taliban’s deputy governor for Logar province, the head of public works, and several local figures.
According to Taliban officials, the construction work is set to be completed within the next three months. The aim of the project is to improve vehicle traffic and facilitate the transport of agricultural and commercial goods along this key route.
The Kabul–Gardez highway is considered one of the major transit routes in southeastern Afghanistan. It has suffered from neglect and a lack of investment for years, leaving it in poor condition. Despite repeated promises, the Taliban administration has largely failed to maintain the country’s transport infrastructure effectively. Current projects are seen by many as largely symbolic.
Local residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the poor quality of similar past initiatives and are calling for stronger oversight and greater transparency in road reconstruction efforts. There are also ongoing concerns about the lack of openness in contracting processes and the heavy involvement of Taliban-affiliated companies.
