Afghan, Turkmen officials discuss land acquisition for TAPI project route

KABUL (Afghan Verified) -- Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Maulvi Ataullah Omari, met with Murad Amanov, head of the TAPI project, and Khwaja Avazov, Turkmenistan's ambassador, to discuss the land acquisition process along the project's route in Afghanistan.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Amanov provided updates on the TAPI project's implementation and urged acceleration of land acquisition efforts. He called for fair pricing of the acquired lands in line with the framework agreement signed by the four involved countries: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Omari described the TAPI project's implementation as beneficial for Afghanistan. He assured project officials that land rental rates would be set according to the country's prevailing laws and principles.

The minister noted that work is currently underway on a draft to determine rates, ensuring fair valuation for lands under private, personal or state ownership.

The TAPI project is a major gas pipeline initiative transporting natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The Afghan route falls under the technical purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, which handles land evaluation, confirmation and acquisition.