£5.8 Billion Gas Pipeline Project Connects Four Nations. A groundbreaking gas pipeline project, valued at £5.8 billion, is set to transform energy access across four countries: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Spanning over 1,118 miles, the TAPI pipeline is being hailed as a “regional game changer” and is one of the most significant gas transit initiatives in the area.
The TAPI project aims to transport 33,000 cubic meters of natural gas annually, significantly enhancing energy availability and affordability for millions. Designed with a diameter of 1,420 mm (56 inches) and a working pressure of 100 atm, the pipeline will help reduce reliance on imported natural gas from foreign nations, including Russia, Iran, and China.
Starting from the Mary region in Turkmenistan, the pipeline will extend 133 miles into Afghanistan, running parallel to the Kandahar and Herat Highway for a length of 481 miles. It will then traverse 513 miles across Pakistan, connecting major cities like Quetta and Multan, before concluding at the Indo-Pakistan border in Fazilka, Punjab, India.
Initially budgeted at £153 million when the project began in 2016, costs have escalated to an impressive £5.8 billion due to various challenges. Although the pipeline was originally scheduled to be operational by 2019, a definitive completion date has yet to be established.
The TAPI project not only promises to deliver clean and affordable energy but also fosters regional cooperation and economic growth, positioning the involved countries as key players in the energy market. As the project moves forward, its impact on energy security and economic stability will be closely monitored.
