The project of reconstruction of a major road started Sunday in central Afghanistan's Wardak province, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the project would bring " new hope" to local people.

The project covers a 142-km road, connecting Maidan Shar, capital of Wardar, and Bamyan city, capital of neighboring Bamyan province. Taking part in the project, the China Railway Shisiju Group Corporation (China Railway) will be responsible for at least 54 km.

The 54-km section will be built at a cost of about 33.4 million U.S. dollars, and will be finished in two years, Wu Jingwen, manager of the project from China Railway, told Xinhua.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the start of the project in Maidan Shar Sunday, Karzai said Afghans had waited for the project for a long time, and that the road would bring "new hope" and many chances for local residents.

The president said he was "very happy" to see the reconstruction of the road, which serves as a vital communication line in central Afghanistan.

He said it was very hot in the colorful tent where the ceremony was held. He then asked those present to go outside to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the project.

Workers from China Railway, with yellow safety helmets on the heads, and Chinese Embassy officials attended the ceremony.

Wu Jingwen said it is still undecided who will rebuild the remaining sections, and that his company is sparing no efforts to bid for them.

Mohammad Salim, a local resident, told Xinhua, "The road reconstruction would bring a lot of benefits to locals, including a big reduction of transportation cost between Wardak and Bamyan."

Since the Taliban regime's collapse in late 2001, Chinese companies have built or are building altogether 485 km of roads in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua