The TAPI Gas Pipeline Project:
The TAPI Pipeline, also known as the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline, is a massive multinational energy infrastructure project. The acronym TAPI stands for the four participating countries: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Key Features
- Full Form: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India.
- Resource Transported: It is a Natural Gas pipeline.
- Origin Point: Starts at the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan (one of the largest gas fields in the world).
- End Point in India: Terminates at Fazilka district in the state of Punjab, India.
- Route: From Turkmenistan, the pipeline travels south, crossing through:
- Afghanistan: Passing through major cities like Herat and Kandahar.
- Pakistan: Entering through Quetta (Balochistan) and moving towards Multan (Punjab).
- Destination in India: The pipeline finally crosses the Indian border and ends at Fazilka, a district in the state of Punjab, India.
- Funding Agency: The project is heavily backed and facilitated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- Length and Capacity: The total proposed length of the pipeline is approximately 1,814 kilometers. Once fully operational, it is designed to carry 33 Billion Cubic Meters (bcm) of natural gas per year. India and Pakistan are slated to receive 14 bcm each, while Afghanistan will take the remaining 5 bcm (along with transit fees).
- Alternate Name: It is popularly referred to as the “Peace Pipeline” because it aims to build trade interdependence among hostile neighbours.
- Strategic Importance for India: Provides an overland energy route, bypassing sea routes and directly connecting India to energy-rich Central Asia.
- Current Status/Challenges: The project has faced severe delays primarily due to security instability in Afghanistan and geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.
