Afghan-Trans Railway Project Studies to Begin in Cooperation with Russia
The Russian Railways Company has announced that, together with experts from Uzbekistan, it will jointly conduct technical and economic studies for the Afghan-Trans railway project. This project, considered one of the major regional initiatives, aims to connect Central Asia to South Asia via Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Works has also stated that the technical study agreement for this project has been signed among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan in Kabul, and practical work will begin soon. According to the ministry, once this railway corridor is completed, Afghanistan’s strategic position in the region will be strengthened, and transportation and transit costs will be reduced.
According to the proposed plan, the railway line will connect the city of Termez in Uzbekistan through Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul to the city of Peshawar in Pakistan. Its primary aim is to establish a transit corridor for transporting goods between Central and South Asia.
Economic experts emphasize that the realization of such a project could provide new trade and transit opportunities for Afghanistan. However, they stress the need for transparent management, securing sustainable financial resources, and ensuring the security of the route. They believe that given Afghanistan’s current economic challenges and international limitations, the project’s success will require meticulous planning and constructive cooperation with regional countries.
