In many areas of Afghanistan, the roads in winter are almost impassable. On April 6, Afghan leaders in Bamyan applauded the USAID-sponsored winter maintenance program that kept the road from Bamyan to Dushi open and cut travel time between the cities by six hours.
A local Afghan firm performed snow removal and grading work to smooth the rough, bumpy road during the winter months. In addition, the program added 14 additional kilometers at the request of the provincial government, allowing easier entry into Bamyan City. The maintenance prevented further erosion and helped to set the stage for the redesign and reconstruction of the 164-kilometer road in the coming year.
Gifts, anthems, and speeches indicated the warm feelings of the local population toward the improvements to their region. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Governor of Bamyan made clear that such projects will bring changes. “This important project will boost economic activities as well as help the people who live along the road,” Governor Habiba Sarabi said. “I would like to thank all donors and companies who responded to our request.”