Trans-Afghan railway construction set to begin in 2025

According to Ilhom Mahkamov, who spoke on the "O’zbekiston 24" TV channel, the project includes expanding an 80-kilometer section to reach Pakistani and Iranian ports through Afghanistan.

He stated that the president was briefed on the selected route and cooperation with project donors.

“At the end of last year, construction of the China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railway, initiated by our esteemed president, was launched. This year, it is planned to start the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway,” he said.

In February 2021, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed a roadmap in Tashkent for the construction of the "Termez - Mazar-i-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar" railway. The project was initially scheduled for preparation in May and construction in September 2021. However, the change of power in Afghanistan delayed its progress. Nevertheless, in December, Afghanistan's interim government joined the initiative. On July 18, 2022, an expedition began to determine the route and conduct a feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway.

Uzbekistan's "BOSHTRANSLOYIHA" institute estimated the railway construction cost at $4.6 billion, while Pakistan assessed it at $8.2 billion. According to media reports, the project's cost is estimated to range between $4.8 billion and $6 billion. The railway is expected to span 573 km and have a freight capacity of up to 20 million tons per year.

This new transport corridor aims to connect the European Union, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and subsequently the countries of Southeast Asia.