China-built road helps improve lives of Afghans

KABUL — A China-built road, which crosses through Surkh Rod district in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, has significantly improved local residents' ability to transport their products to markets on time, enabling them to earn better incomes and enhance their living conditions.

Rohudin, a local farmer, said that the road has made it easier for residents to market their agricultural products.

"The construction and asphalting of this road has largely benefited us. This road has enabled us to transport our products to Kabul and Jalalabad," Rohudin said at his farm recently.

Over the past two decades, China has played a vital role in Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts. In addition to providing humanitarian assistance, China has built critical infrastructure, including roads and the Jamhuriat Hospital in Kabul, and invested in economic and mining projects.

The road in Nangarhar, built with Chinese assistance, has not only boosted agricultural yields but also increased farmers' incomes in Surkh Rod and its surrounding areas, helping improve the quality of life for residents, Rohudin said. The farmer also said he could earn 200,000 afghani ($2,824) to 300,000 afghani annually after the opening of the road.

Rohudin recounted how, before the road was built, farmers struggled to take their produce to market, often resulting in spoiled vegetables and fruits.

Another farmer, Hamayon, said that the road has transformed the lives of the residents of Surkh Rod and the adjoining areas.

"With this asphalted road, it's now much easier to take patients to the hospital and transport our vegetables and other produce to markets," the 33-year-old farmer said.

With the improved road access, Hamayon's income has also grown substantially.

"Now we can earn 200,000 afghani to 300,000 afghani in each harvest season," he said.

Acknowledging the importance of the China-built road linking eastern Nangarhar's provincial capital Jalalabad to Kabul, the public relations officer of the provincial government, Qurishi Badlon, termed the road a "significant transit highway," saying that the link has led to improvement of the living conditions of the people.

Xinhua