In a new development, the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas line project has landed into hot waters, as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has paused all due diligence and processing activities until Taliban regime is acknowledged and legitimized by the UN and big economies of the world.

According to Afghan media, the Bank has suspended all of its activities related to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India since August last year when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

“The Asian Development Bank said that unless the Islamic Emirate is recognized, it will not help implement the TAPI project.  The Bank said it had suspended all activities related to the TAPI project since August 8 last year” a Kabul-based Shamshad Radio and Television Network said in a tweet, according to The International News.        

photo / ANI.

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The TAPI gas pipeline has a length of 1,680km pipeline with a design capacity of 3.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per annum.  It was to be laid down from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan up to the Pak-India border.

The TAPI pipeline is proposed to be laid down through from Herat – Kandahar – Chaman – Zhob – DG Khan – Multan and reach Fazilika, a city at the Indian border.  However, in the wake of ADB’s lack of interest, the project is touted for more delays.