New Phase of Herat-Khwaf Railway Set to Open
The first phase of the fourth section of the Herat-Khwaf railway is now nearing operation in Herat province, a stretch that project officials say will make it possible to transport goods from Afghanistan’s rail line to Iran’s railway network.
According to official reports, the section is 43 kilometres long and runs from Zindajan to Rabat Paryan station. Local Herat officials, representatives of the Taliban administration’s Ministry of Public Works, and delegates from contracting companies attended the opening ceremony for the section.
Project officials said the main infrastructure work in this phase, including excavation, embankment work, rail installation and the construction of culverts and major bridges, has been completed. Rabat Paryan station is also being equipped as a stopping point for trains and a cargo unloading site.
According to officials, once the third section in Roznak is connected to this part, train movement and the transfer of commercial goods will be possible, and practical use of the route will begin. They also said that with the completion of this stage, Herat industrial town will be linked to external routes through Iran.
The Herat-Khwaf railway consists of four sections in total, two of which were built in Iran and the other two in Afghanistan. The first three sections of the project had already been completed, and with the launch of this part, the rail route to Rabat Paryan is ready for use.
The railway was designed to reduce cargo transport costs, facilitate transit and strengthen regional trade. Herat, in western Afghanistan, holds an important transit position, and this rail route connects the province to Iran’s railway network.
