Kabul–Kandahar Highway

The Kabul–Kandahar Highway (NH0101) is a 483-kilometer (300 mi) road linking Afghanistan's two largest cities, Kabul and Kandahar, passing through Maidan Shar, Saydabad, Ghazni, and Qalati Ghilji.[1] This highway is a key portion of Afghanistan's national highway system or "National Highway 1". The entire highway from Kandahar to Kabul is on flat surface, with no mountain passes. Approximately 35 percent of Afghanistan's population lives within 50 km (31 mi) of the Kabul to Kandahar portion of the Ring Road.

Kabul–Kandahar Highway
Highway system
Highways in Afghanistan
Kabul-Kandahar Highway at Zabul Province in southern Afghanistan (October 2012)
Kabul-Kandahar Highway at Maidan Wardak Province in 2010

Overview

The Kabul-Kandahar highway was in major disrepair due to over two decades of war and neglect. The United States funded the repair and rebuilding of 389 km (242 mi) of road, while Japan funded 50 km (31 mi). About 43 km (27 mi) of the highway were already usable prior to the repairs. The rebuilding project was overseen by the Louis Berger Group, with assistance in planning and design by Turkish and Indian engineers. Phase one of paving was completed in December 2003 and the highway was opened to traffic.[2] The journey from Kandahar to Kabul generally took travelers 18 hours but, since the rebuilding, has been shortened to roughly 6 hours.

Route

The Kabul–Kandahar Highway traverses the provinces of Kabul, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Zabul, and Kandahar.

Deaths

As of early 2004, Taliban fighters continued to harass travelers of the corridor. Afghan guards, soldiers, mercenaries, and workers have been killed along the route. In October 2003, they kidnapped a Turkish contractor, and that December they kidnapped two Indian workers. In February 2004, Taliban rebels shot down a Louis Berger Group helicopter, killing three.

In March 2004, rebels murdered a Turkish engineer and an Afghan guard. Another Turkish engineer and a translator were kidnapped. This action prompted the United States to set up small civilian-military teams in three locations along the route. These teams no longer exist.

On May 8, 2016, a major vehicular crash killed at least 73 and injured over 50 people along the Kabul-Kandahar highway in Moqor District of Ghazni Province. Two buses traveling from Kabul to Kandahar collided with a fuel tanker, causing a fiery inferno. The vehicles were reportedly speeding to avoid ambush by the Taliban.[3] At least 35 persons died in September 2016 when a fuel tanker collided with a passenger bus.

See also

References
  1. "Application of Road Numbering System National Highway", Archived 2017-05-07 at the Wayback Machine The Ministry of Public Works (October 16, 2015)
  2. USAID Press Release: Afghans Celebrate Phase I Completion of Kabul to Kandahar Highway Archived 2011-10-20 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Fuel-tanker crash kills over 70 in Afghanistan's Ghazni". Al-Jazeera May 8, 2016. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/afghanistan-road-crash-ghazni-160508115025713.html
  • Salih, Salih Muhammad; Siddique, Abubakar (2008-10-23). "Death stalks the highway to hell". Asia Times Online. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2008-10-23.

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