Afghanistan & Iran agrees to build the disputed road of IslamQala- Dogharon

HERAT - An agreement was reached between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Iran on the construction of the road between IslamQala- Dogharon in the border area, which had not been built for decades due to legal disputes over the line of control.

For decades, the IslamQala-Duogharon road’s strip was considered as a major barrier on the way of cargo trucks and goods transition, which was a big headache for both sides’ traders.

The road construction agreement was signed at a joint meeting convened by delegations appointed by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the neighboring Republic of Iran.

Afghanistan side was represented & attended by the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MoD, MoI, MUDL, MoF, MoBTA, NDS, and Herat Governor’s Office.

The agreement was reached in the light of Article 7, which was included in the 6th session of the Joint Commission on Border Affairs between the two countries in Oct. 2020, and it's accompanying a diplomatic memorandum too.

In the light of the above understanding, the agreement on technical issues was finalized after a meeting between the Minister of Public Works, Eng. Najibullah Yamin, and the Special Representative of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, Sayed Hussain Mir Shafi, which was held on 26th of March 2021, in Kabul.

The two countries agreed that the construction of the road will start from the Dogharon freight station across the line and would extend 500-meters to the first parking area of the IslamQala customhouse.

Consideration has also been given to the full arrangement, design, technical specifications, and appointment of technical representatives to supervise the road project, with reference to their shared and individual duties.

Currently, the IslamQala-Dogaron route - in addition to not being wide enough - is in a very bad condition, especially due to the unfavorable weather that causes to damage vehicles and commercial goods. So, it’s a matter of great pleasure that the construction of this road will solve all the issues.

Officials say; the road is 45-meters wide and will be constructed as a two-way, and three-lane vehicles could be travel on each side at a time, which is going to speed up the shipment process.

MoPW is on the spot to put some elements of the economic policies of Afghanistan gradually into practice, via road construction and regional connectivity.

According to the Minister of Public Works, Eng. Najibullah Yamin, after decades, the construction of the Islam Qala-Dogaron road is a major step in resolving Afghanistan's transit disputes. He is labeling this development as a strong step of the broader vision of H.E President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, which could define Afghanistan back as the intersection of Asia and a dynamic economic corridor for regional connectivity.

MoPW Media Team - Kabul