Delaram–Zaranj Highway

Delaram–Zaranj Highway
Route information
Length:	215 km (134 mi)
Existed:	2009 – present
Major junctions
Southwest end:	Zaranj
Northeast end:	Delaram, A01
Highway system
Highways in Afghanistan

The Delaram-Zaranj Highway, also known as Route 606, is a National Highway in Afghanistan, connecting Zaranj in Nimruz Province, near the Iranian border, with Delaram in Farah Province.^[1] The highway connects the Afghan-Iranian border to Delaram on the main A01 highway, which provides connectivity to other major Afghan cities. It reduces travel time between Delaram and Zaranj from the earlier 12-14 hours to 2 hours.

From Zaranj, the highway connects to Zabol across the border in Iran. Zabol is well-connected by road to the Port of Chabahar. The highway thus provides land-locked Afghanistan an alternative way to access the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, instead of relying solely on Pakistan.

History

Intersection of A01 and Delaram-Zaranj Highway near Delaram

The Delaram-Zaranj Highway was constructed at a cost of USD 135 Million (INR 6 Billion), financed fully by development grants from the Government of India. The highway was designed and constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) of India. The highway was opened to the public on 22 January 2009 by then Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Over 300 BRO engineers and technicians were deployed on the project, accompanied by 70 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for their security.

Construction of the highway started in 2005, but progress was slow since it was a target of frequent insurgent attacks.^[2] 135 people working on the road were killed in such attacks, including 129 Afghans and 6 Indians. 2 BRO employees and 4 ITBP personnel were among those killed.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "India hands over strategic highway to Afghanistan". Hindu. 2009-01-23. http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/23/stories/2009012355311200.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-10. 
2. ^ "India takes a slow road". Asia Times. 2007-01-27. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA27Df04.html. Retrieved 2011-08-10.