Salang Highway Remains Closed for Sixth Consecutive Day Amid Heavy Snowfall
The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Works has announced that the Salang Highway, one of Afghanistan’s vital transit routes, remains closed for the sixth consecutive day, with efforts to reopen it so far unsuccessful.
Ashraf Haqshenas, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated in a press release on Monday, January 26, that heavy snowfall accompanied by strong storms has severely hindered snow clearance operations in the Salang area, slowing down the work of technical teams.
The Taliban administration has urged citizens to avoid traveling towards the Salang region until further notice. This route plays a crucial role in connecting northern and central provinces, and its prolonged closure continues to impact the lives and mobility of residents.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works has recommended the alternative route of Jado Doshi–Bamyan for travel, noting that citizens can use fast vehicles to navigate this path. Nevertheless, the multi-day closure of the Salang Highway has once again raised questions about the Taliban administration’s preparedness, crisis management, and ability to maintain the country’s critical infrastructure.
