RASC News Agency: According to reports, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport, Ilhom Makhkamov, has stated that the construction of the Trans-Afghanistan Railway is projected to take at least five years. He emphasized the complexity of the project, particularly the challenges posed within Afghanistan’s terrain. Speaking at the “International Partnership Initiatives Week” in Tashkent, Makhkamov said, “A comprehensive agreement has been reached for the construction of the Trans-Afghanistan Railway. The primary aim of this project is to bolster regional connectivity and trade by linking Central Asia with key Pakistani ports.”
Makhkamov further explained that while the project holds great potential, the bulk of the challenges reside in Afghanistan. Despite these hurdles, Uzbekistan’s president remains the primary advocate for the project. He added that Uzbekistan has already engaged in discussions with several countries about implementing the project and is currently focused on developing its technical and economic frameworks. The minister expressed confidence that the groundbreaking would occur in 2025, but given the complexities involved, the construction will likely take a minimum of five years. The proposed route will extend from Termez in Uzbekistan, passing through Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul, and Peshawar, marking a major step toward easing trade across Central Asia.
Once operational, the railway is expected to significantly reduce transit times for goods between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, cutting the duration from 35 days to just 3 to 5 days. Furthermore, transport costs for standard freight wagons are predicted to decrease by up to threefold, with an anticipated annual capacity of 10 million tons of cargo. The Trans-Afghanistan Railway, spanning approximately 760 kilometers from Mazar-i-Sharif to Torkham, will eventually connect to Pakistan’s Karachi Port via Peshawar and Rohri. The total estimated cost of the project stands at approximately $4.8 billion.
