Afghanistan Opens Wakhan Road, Strengthening Direct Connectivity With China

DID Press: Afghanistan is set to officially inaugurate the Khameh–Wakhan road in Badakhshan province on Sunday, October 4, marking the opening of a route intended to connect Afghanistan directly with China through the Wakhan Corridor.

The road, built in two phases, stretches for more than 121 km. Officials in Badakhshan have said the completed section is 121.13 km long, begins in the Barghil area and extends to Bazai Gumbad near the Chinese border. The road is between 7 and 10 metres wide and includes three major bridges.

The Taliban administration says the route could create new opportunities for trade and transit between Afghanistan and China and considers the project a major economic and regional-connectivity initiative. Analysts, however, have noted that turning the road into a fully operational commercial corridor would require additional investment in roads, customs facilities and other infrastructure.

The Wakhan Corridor is Afghanistan’s only direct geographical connection to China, making the road strategically significant for Kabul’s efforts to expand trade and transit links with China and other regional markets.