KABUL, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have begun construction of an essential road on the mountainous landscape in the northeastern Panjshir province, reported the official Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on Thursday.

The construction of the road began on Wednesday, RTA said, adding that the 25-km road costs 451 million afghani (around 7.16 million U.S. dollars) and was financed by the government.

The road will drastically shorten the distance between the Takhar region in Panjshir province and the capital city Kabul. ■