The Taliban-run Kabul Municipality on Sunday said it has built 83 kilometers of roads across the capital in the past year, adding that most of its budget is now invested in development projects.
At a press conference marking its annual performance report, Nematullah Barikzai, Taliban cultural adviser for the municipality, said that 321 kilometers of roads have been constructed in Kabul over the past four years. Among the projects cited were portions of the Kabul–Jalalabad Highway and the Sar-e-Kotal–Khair Khana Road in northern Kabul — some of which are still under construction.
Despite the Taliban’s claims of progress, many Kabul residents have expressed frustration over the poor condition of roads and delays in maintenance and completion. Several citizens told local media that deteriorating streets and sluggish construction work have disrupted daily life and contributed to accidents and traffic congestion.
The municipality also reported issuing 783 permits for high-rise construction in the past year. According to Barikzai, residential buildings up to four stories are permitted across the city, while high-rises of up to 15 stories may be approved depending on location.
In a signal of administrative restructuring, the Land Authority, currently overseeing urban land use and development, is expected to be elevated to ministerial status.
In terms of property compensation, Barikzai said 1,086 properties were expropriated over the past year, with 1.7 billion Afghanis (approximately $24 million) paid out in compensation. Over the past four years, total compensation payouts have reached 3 billion Afghanis ($43 million), he said.
The municipality also reported that 25 traffic intersections were built in recent years, incorporating what it described as “cultural and Islamic design considerations.”
Budget and revenue
The city’s development budget for the current fiscal year stands at 8.1 billion Afghanis ($116 million) , which Barikzai said represents 70 percent of the total 11.6 billion Afghani municipal budget ($167 million). Last year, the municipality reported collecting 7 billion Afghanis ($100 million) in revenue; over four years, cumulative revenues have reached 24 billion Afghanis ($345 million), he said.
Barikzai said that over the past year (March 2024 to March 2025), the municipality claims to have implemented 165 projects worth 6.4 billion Afghanis ($92 million), ranging from infrastructure and roadworks to public utility upgrades.
