TAPI pipeline project to start in December

Islamabad: The construction of TAPI gas pipeline project involving Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will start from December 13, an official said.

The ground breaking ceremony of 1,735-km long gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India (TAPI) will take place in Turkmenistan, Radio Pakistan reported Turkmenistan Ambassador to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov as saying on Tuesday.

The trans-national gas pipeline project is vital for economic growth of regional countries, Pakistan's Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada said.

He said TAPI project is vital for Pakistan's energy needs and would strengthen relations between Islamabad and Ashgabat.

He said the project would be beneficial for economies of both the countries.