AKIPRESS.COM - CASA-1000 Project enters construction phase with signing of EPC contracts for over 550 km of HVDC transmission line in Afghanistan. The signing ceremony was attended by highly respected representatives from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, USAID and CASA-1000 Secretariat, the press service of the CASA-1000 project reported.

The total value of the Project transmission lines in Afghanistan is 235.16 million USD which is funded by a World Bank Grant. The total cost of CASA-1000 regional project is estimated at 1.2bn USD. Total length of the project HVDC Line is estimated to be 765 km while the length of the line inside Afghanistan is estimated at 563km.

The transmission line of the project in Afghanistan begins in Sherkhan Bandar border with Tajikistan and ends in Torkham border with Pakistan. There are an estimated 600 villages, 23 districts and seven provinces along the corridor of the line [in Afghanistan]. The provinces along the corridor of the line are Kondoz, Baghlan, Panjsher, Kapisa, Kabul, Laghman and Nangarhar. Communities that exist along the corridor of the line will benefit from the Community Support Program of the Project.

The Regional CASA-1000 Project is a great economic initiative in the region. Implementation of this project will result in peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. This project will bring prosperity for peoples in Afghanistan, Pakistan,Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The regional CASA-1000 Project from Central Asia to South Asia will not only have economic benefits for Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it will also have a positive impact on the security situation and political stability in these countries.