Taliban administration begins repair and expansion work on Dikhundi’s Nili-Patow road

Local officials in Dikhundi province have announced the start of repair, widening and graveling work on part of the Nili-Patow main road. The project, covering about 3.5 kilometres, has begun at a cost of nearly 10 million Afghanis.

While the move could bring improvements to the area’s road infrastructure, it has also raised questions about spending priorities amid the people’s economic and social crisis in Dikhundi. Widespread infrastructure weakness and a lack of sufficient attention to basic services are among the province’s serious problems.

The Taliban administration has said the project is being carried out to improve transport conditions and local people’s access to essential services, but criticism that such schemes are minor and symbolic in the face of major deficiencies has once again raised concerns about the administration’s priorities.