Afghanistan - The Salang Pass

Commuters gathered spilled fuel flowing down the side of the Salang Pass road near the entrance to a smaller tunnel, just short of the main Salang tunnel after being informed that a tanker truck carrying fuel for NATO forces had tipped over in the tunnel?blocking the pass. ..The Salang road and tunnel is Afghanistan's only major direct overland route between the capital Kabul and the northern provinces. The road, which climbs into the Hindu Kush mountain range from the Shamali plains, and it's 2.6km tunnel that burrows through the pass from which it takes it's name, was constructed in the 1950's and early 1960's as part of an agreement with the Soveit Union. ..Today, the Salang pass is an almost impassible traffic jam?clogged with much increased traffic, particularly NATO supply convoys ferrying goods from Afghanistan's northern border to ISAF troops in the south?the only overland route for supplies since Pakistan halted transit of goods bound for troops in Afghanistan through their territory late last year. The safety of the road and tunnel has also come into question recently due to its poor upkeep, lack of ventilation and adequate lighting.

Stock Photo ID:

42-34732852

Date Photographed:

May 28, 2012

Model Released:

No Release

Property Released:

No Release

Photographer:

Bryan Denton

Location:

Afghanistan