ISLAMABAD: Financial close of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is expected to be achieved this year, following which construction work would start on this multi-billion dollar project. “The construction work on the project will start after the completion of technical studies and achieving the financial commitments, which were expected to be completed during this year,” official sources told state-run media about current status of the project. They said TAPI Pipeline Company Limited (TPCL), the project executing company, had been jointly formed by the four TAPI parties, which appointed the consultant to undertake the Pre-FID activities including the detailed survey of the entire route, environment impact assessment studies and Front End Engineering Design (FEED). The sources informed that the procurement process for lines pipe, long lead items and appointment of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor had been started. While, the company has appointed a legal counsel for rendering legal services on the agreements to be executed by the company, they added. Highlighting importance of the project, the sources said it would help increase the power generation capacity to meet the country’s future energy needs, create more job opportunities in backward areas along the pipeline route and further strengthen the national economy. Upon completion, the project would help achieve high Gross Domestic Product growth in the country, they said, adding that the cost of TAPI gas was not on higher rather it would be competitive with all other alternative fuels. Published in Daily Times, January 25th 2018.