Kazakhstan plans to construct a 120-kilometer railway line connecting Torghundi (on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan border) to Herat in western Afghanistan within the next two years, Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov announced at a government meeting, Asiaplus.tj reports.
“The financing structure has been developed, and we are currently working to attract investors,” Kaliakparov said, confirming the project is scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2027.
Once completed, the new rail link will enable Kazakhstan to export and transit goods into Afghanistan — and onward to the markets of Pakistan and India — creating a vital southern corridor for Central Asian trade.
To support the initiative, Kazakhstan also plans to establish a transport and logistics company in Herat, which will manage operations and promote regional connectivity.
While Kazakh authorities have not yet disclosed the total investment, Afghan officials indicated earlier this spring that Astana is prepared to commit approximately $500 million to the project.
In addition, an optical fiber cable will be laid alongside the railway — a strategic move that will:
- Enhance digital infrastructure across the corridor,
- Improve railway safety and operational efficiency through modern signaling and monitoring,
- Eventually provide high-speed internet access to communities.
This dual-use infrastructure project underscores Kazakhstan’s ambition to expand its logistical footprint beyond traditional northern routes and position itself as a key player in South-Central Asian connectivity — all while supporting Afghanistan’s economic integration under the Taliban administration.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
10 сентября 2025 года