Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline project made some progress when the nations involved in the project appointed Asian Development Bank as Transaction Advisor. 1,800 km TAPI pipeline project is expected to be completed by 2017 and will transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India from Turkmenistan for over 3o years. The project is estimated to cost $7.6 billion.
TAPI pipeline which is also known as ‘peace pipeline’ will help three countries to ensure their energy security. ADB as transaction advisor will advise on the establishment of the TAPI pipeline company, undertake technical due diligence and handle the bidding and selection of a commercial consortium to undertake the project. ADB has already given more than $4 million in technical assistance to the project and is also providing secretariat services for development of legal and institutional framework since 2002.
