KRG’s Ninth Cabinet implemented 595 road projects
Kurdistan’s extensive road projects under the ninth cabinet transform regional transportation, boost economic development, and improve connectivity.
Agrin Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Reconstruction and Housing of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that 595 road projects had been implemented during the ninth cabinet’s tenure. Among these, 75 are classified as strategic projects, including the construction of bridges, long-distance roads, and tunnels.
In an interview with The Kurdish Globe, Abdullah emphasized that the Ministry of Reconstruction, which is responsible for overseeing roads outside municipal boundaries, has successfully completed various infrastructure projects over the past five years. “These strategic initiatives include the significant project, which involves bridges and tunnels, alongside other projects aimed at rehabilitating roads. In addition to medium and small-scale projects, rural road development has also been a priority,” he explained.
He added: “In the past few years, a serious focus has been on the external road sector. Significant steps have been taken, although some projects remain incomplete. Over the four years of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the budget has been allocated for 65 major road projects, covering a total length of 1,295 kilometers, at a cost of 883 billion dinars.”
One of the highlights of these projects is the Erbil-Duhok Road, which has now become a dual roadway for almost the entire length between the two provinces. This major infrastructure upgrade includes large tunnels, such as the Pirmam tunnel and its connecting roads. In addition, dozens of other small and medium-sized road projects have been completed during the ninth cabinet’s term.
So far, 184 road projects have been executed at a cost of 17 billion and 150 million dinars, while another 191 projects have been completed for 11 billion and 980 million dinars.
Overall, 440 projects have been implemented, with a total expenditure of 912 billion and 132 million dinars. Additionally, the KRG has made significant contributions to Halabja province, where the foundation stone for the Halabja-Tuwaqut-Qalija road and Tuwaqut bridge was laid during a special ceremony by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani.
Some of the major and strategic roads that have been completed, or are nearing completion, include the Erbil-Great Zab Road, the Pirmam tunnel and its adjoining roads, the Zakho-Batlish road, the Kalar-Kfri road, the Halabja-Sayyid Sadiq road, and the Penjwin-Bashmakh road, among others. Numerous medium and small projects have been executed.
Currently, 132 additional projects are underway. Once completed, these projects will have a substantial impact on the region’s transportation infrastructure, including the construction of 370 kilometers of dual roadways, the repair of 10 kilometers of one-side roads, and the rehabilitation of 711 kilometers of village roads.
The Kurdish Globe