KABUL, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Ministry of Public Works has officially commenced asphalt paving on the Kunar-Nuristan Highway on Monday, a flagship project aimed at strengthening Afghanistan's rural transportation network and enhancing connectivity to remote mountainous regions.
The highway project has been segmented into three phases. Paving work has now begun on the first and second sections, spanning a combined 22.5 kilometers, according to Mohammad Ashraf Haqshinas, spokesman for the ministry.
Work on the third and final 84-kilometer section of the highway is already underway.
Widely regarded as one of Afghanistan's most rugged and inaccessible routes due to its challenging mountainous terrain, the Kunar-Nuristan Highway has long posed significant logistical and environmental difficulties for local communities.
Upon completion, the road is expected to improve transportation efficiency and stimulate economic activity in these underserved provinces. ■