Uzbekistan advances feasibility study for Trans-Afghan Railway Project

Uzbekistan has entered the active phase of preparing a feasibility study for the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway Project, a key regional initiative aimed at strengthening transport and trade links between Central and South Asia.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Termez Dialogue in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Shokhrukh Gulyamov, said field studies and technical assessments for the project are already underway.

“We have already begun the active phase of preparing the feasibility study for this project,” Gulyamov said, adding that authorities expect to have concrete figures by the end of the year to help determine the next stage of implementation.

The Trans-Afghan Railway Project is expected to connect Central Asian countries with Pakistani ports through Afghanistan, creating a shorter and more efficient trade route between Central and South Asia. Officials view the railway as one of the region’s most important connectivity initiatives.

Gulyamov said the project could eventually become part of a broader transport network across Afghanistan, further enhancing regional trade and transit opportunities.

He also noted that the railway complements wider regional infrastructure efforts, including cooperation with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project.

According to Uzbek officials, growing trade volumes between Central and South Asia are increasing the need for expanded transport infrastructure and alternative transit corridors.

The project gained momentum in July 2025 when Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed a trilateral agreement in Kabul to jointly prepare the feasibility study for the railway.

Once completed, the study is expected to provide key details on project costs, financing options, technical requirements and potential implementation timelines.

The proposed railway is widely seen as a strategic project that could boost regional connectivity, facilitate trade and strengthen economic integration across Central and South Asia.