Minister: Long-Awaited China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Enters Construction Phase

Bakyt Torobaev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan, has confirmed that the long-awaited China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transnational railway has officially moved into its implementation phase.

He made these remarks during a high-level meeting with officials from China State Railway Group led by Deputy Director General Wang Lixin, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Torobaev reported that preparatory works have begun, including tunnel excavations, construction of temporary infrastructure, and sorting out key organizational issues. He said the Kyrgyz Cabinet is fully backing the initiative, holding regular coordination sessions with state agencies and placing strong emphasis on environmental protection and safety standards throughout the project.

Local involvement is a priority: the minister urged for greater participation of Kyrgyz citizens in construction works and emphasized that procurement of goods and services should favor domestic suppliers wherever possible.

Both sides also reviewed plans for projected freight volumes and discussed workforce development, including the establishment of a Railway Specialists Academy. Proposed economic zones in Torugart, Makmal, Jerge‑Tal, and Jalal‑Abad were also put forward as part of broader regional infrastructure and economic expansion plans.

“The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is more than just a transportation route - it is a path to the future, a symbol of friendship, strategic cooperation, and our shared vision for sustainable development,” Torobaev said. “We are confident that through coordinated efforts, we can ensure this project delivers maximum benefit to all our nations.”

When completed, the railway is expected to serve as a major transit corridor, significantly improving connectivity across Central and East Asia and boosting economic integration among the participating countries.