Afghanistan’s Road Network Exceeds 245,000 km, Taliban Statistics Office Says

DID Press: Afghanistan’s total road network has been estimated at more than 245,000 km for the first time, according to findings released by the Taliban-run General Directorate of Statistics and Information.

The assessment found that 18,241 km, or 7.4%, of Afghanistan’s roads are paved, while 226,831 km, or 92.6%, remain unpaved.

The survey also identified 4,747 bridges, 8,681 culverts and 854 flood channels across the country. It recorded 16 destroyed bridges and 249 locations where new bridges are needed.

The statistics authority said the data was compiled using information from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, OpenStreetMap maps and satellite imagery.

According to the authority, the findings could be used for road-network planning, development and reconstruction, disaster management, and setting priorities for infrastructure projects.