MANILA, July 9: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan need more studies carried out before they proceed with the 2.5 billion-dollar trans-Afghan gas pipeline project, the Asian Development Bank said on Wednesday.

The decision puts on hold the process of drawing up a shortlist of construction companies that would be qualified to bid for the project, an ADB statement said.

It said the oil and gas ministers from the three countries advised the ADB of the need for “a route survey for the southern route through Herat, Kandahar, Quetta and Multan, an estimation of reserves in the Dauletabad gas fields in Turkmenistan, and finalization of the Host Country Agreement and the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreements, and the Gas Transportation Agreement.”

The officials make up the steering committee for the project, which has been on the drawing board for about 20 years. The committee met in the Turkmenistan capital last month.

“A number of companies have shown interest in being prequalified for undertaking the construction and operation of the pipeline,” said Seethapathy Chander, director of ADB’s private sector infrastructure finance division.

“However, it was decided in the sixth meeting of the Steering Committee held in Ashgabat during 25-26 June 2003 that the solicitation process would be put on hold until all the ongoing studies/works are completed.”—AFP