Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan Agree on Feasibility Study for Trans-Afghan Railway Project

During a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, a framework intergovernmental agreement was signed to conduct a technical and economic feasibility study for the proposed railway connecting Termez, Naybabad, Maydan Shahr, Logar, and Kharlachi.

The agreement was formally endorsed by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Kabul was selected as the venue for the signing due to the project’s geopolitical importance and Uzbekistan’s central role in developing the Trans-Afghan transport corridor.

This accord aims to accelerate the realization of a strategically vital railway project that will establish a unified transport hub across Eurasia, enhancing regional cooperation.

According to the agreement, the trilateral project office established in May 2023 under Uzbek Railways company (“O‘zbekiston Temir Yo‘llari”) will oversee the feasibility study. The office operates branches in Kabul and Islamabad.

The planned railway will stretch 573 kilometers, with construction expected to take five years and an estimated cost of $4.6 billion.

On July 18, 2023, officials from the three countries finalized the railway’s route during a meeting in Islamabad.