Route 606 (Afghanistan)

{{Short description|Road in Afghanistan}}

{{Infobox road

|country= AFG

|route=606

|image= Highway 1 in Delaram, Afghanistan 001.jpg

|map=

|length_km= 218

|length_ref=

|established= 2009

|direction_a= Southwest

|terminus_a= Iran (near Zaranj)

|junction=

|direction_b= Northeast

|terminus_b= Delaram

|ahn = {{Jct|country=ASIA|AH|71}}

}}

Route 606, also known as Delaram-Zaranj Highway, also officially designated as NH49,"Application of Road Numbering System National Highway", [http://mopw.gov.af/Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf] {{Webarchive| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507113922/http://mopw.gov.af/Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf |date=2017-05-07 }} The Ministry of Public Works (October 16, 2015) is a 218 km roadwayBego, Bruno J. [http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/news/engineers-enhance-security-along-main-route-keeping-helmand-open.html "Engineers Enhance Security Along Main Route Keeping Helmand Open"], Afghanistan International Security Force website, August 30, 2011. Retrieved on September 10, 2011. in the Nimruz Province of Afghanistan connecting the Delaram District in Afghanistan to the border of Iran. The opposite way goes towards the south near Zaranj, Afghanistan. It is one of the busiest roads in Afghanistan and provides an important trade route between Iran and the rest of Asia. It was developed by India's Border Roads Organisation.

The Delaram–Zaranj Highway, also known as Route 606, is a 135-mile-long two-lane road in Afghanistan, connecting Zaranj in Nimruz Province, near the Iranian border, with Delaram in neighbouring Farah Province.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/23/stories/2009012355311200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203072429/http://hindu.com/2009/01/23/stories/2009012355311200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-03|title=India hands over strategic highway to Afghanistan|date=2009-01-23|work=The Hindu|access-date=2011-08-10}} It connects the Afghan–Iranian border with the Kandahar–Herat Highway in Delaram, which provides connectivity to other major Afghan cities via A01. Route 606 reduces travel time between Delaram and Zaranj from the earlier 12–14 hours to just 2 hours.

From Zaranj, the highway connects to Zabol across the border in Iran. Zabol is well-connected by road to the Port of Chabahar. The highway thus provides land-locked Afghanistan an alternative way to access the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, instead of relying solely on Pakistani routes. "The road is much shorter and more stable than any of the routes in Pakistan, making it perhaps the most efficient means of reaching Afghanistan."{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2012/0724/America-s-way-out-of-dependence-on-Pakistan-Iran|title=America's way out of dependence on Pakistan: Iran|publisher=The Christian Science Monitor|date=2012-07-24|access-date=2012-07-24}}