According to Iraf, citing TASS, Sergey Pavlov, Deputy CEO of Russian Railways, announced at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Rail Transport Council meeting in Ashgabat that Russian and Uzbek experts are working on various aspects of the feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway project. These collaborations aim to create a continuous rail corridor linking Central and South Asia.
He emphasized that Uzbekistan plays a central role at this stage and that technical coordination between the two countries is progressing without interruption.
Background of the Tripartite Agreement and Project Halt
In February 2021, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed a roadmap in Tashkent for the construction of the Termiz–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar railway line, with the project expected to enter the implementation phase that same year. However, political developments in Afghanistan in August 2021 completely halted the project’s progress.
Despite this, technical studies and route determination within Afghanistan resumed in 2022, although reports indicate that project advancement remains limited and primarily at the preliminary study level.
Proposed Routes Under Review
According to information released by Uzbek and Russian transport authorities, two main routes for this railway are under consideration:
- The Termiz–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar route, which is the primary path agreed upon by the three countries.
- A north–south Afghanistan alternative route, including options via Naibabad, Logar, and the Kharlachi pass.
These routes are part of Uzbekistan’s efforts to gain direct access to Pakistani ports and open seas—a goal that Tashkent has actively pursued in recent years.
Russia’s Increasing Role in the New Phase
In recent years, Russia has increased its involvement in the project and announced that it will participate directly in feasibility studies and technical design.
Moscow seeks to link this project to the International North–South Transport Corridor to diversify its transit routes to Pakistan and the Indian Ocean, from which Uzbekistan would also benefit.
Project Estimates
Initial estimates suggest that the railway will span approximately 647 kilometers, with an annual transport capacity of up to 20 million tons.
The project’s implementation cost is estimated to range between $4.6 and $8.2 billion.
Experts believe that realizing this project could strengthen Uzbekistan’s position as a transit hub in Central Asia and transform Afghanistan into a key regional transit route.
