Reconstruction work on the runway at Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Ghori Airport in Ghor has officially begun, funded with 86 million Afghanis by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The project includes the rehabilitation of an 820-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway for aircraft takeoff and landing, as well as repairs to crack filling, crack sealing, ramp maintenance, taxiway improvements, and the construction of a canal.
The budget for the project is being provided by the Ministry of Finance, and completion is expected within one year.
Rostam Hafiz Yar, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Development at the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, said:
“An 88 million Afghani budget has been allocated by the Ministry of Finance of the Islamic Emirate. The project includes construction of an 820-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway, repairs to crack filling and sealing, ramp rehabilitation, taxiway work, and construction of a canal, which will be completed within one year.”
Residents of Ghor have welcomed the rehabilitation of the airport, saying it will resolve many challenges related to air travel.
However, they are also urging the government to prioritize reconstruction of major highways connecting Ghor to other provinces.
Fazl Rab Jahani, Deputy Head of the Ghor Ulema Council, stated:
“There is a serious need for the reconstruction of our roads as well. We request special attention in this regard.”
A local resident, Sayed Hadi, said:
“Rehabilitating the runway will solve many problems for our people. For example, transporting patients in emergencies and moving passengers when land routes are blocked will become easier.”
Another resident, Rahmatullah Amini, added:
“Rebuilding the airport could solve 50 percent of the problems faced by the people of Ghor. We thank the leaders of the Islamic Emirate for this effort, but we also hope they will pay attention to major highways such as the Ghor–Herat and Ghor–Kabul roads so that people can travel safely and comfortably.”
Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Ghori Airport was first constructed in 1967 (1346 Solar Hijri). In 2011 (1390 Solar Hijri), 200 meters of its runway were asphalted. However, due to technical problems with the runway, civilian flights were suspended for a long period, depriving residents of Ghor of regular air travel services.
