Kazakhstan’s rail transport system is under significant strain due to aging infrastructure, with equipment wear reaching 57%, Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauyrbaev reported on August 19, 2025, during a government meeting, according to Zakon.kz.
Sauyrbaev noted that the country’s operational railway network spans 16,000 kilometers. “This wear directly affects train speed and safety. The infrastructure is operating at the limit of its capacity,” he said.
To improve efficiency and reliability of freight and passenger transport, the government plans to construct new lines and modernize 5,000 km of existing tracks by 2030. Additionally, repair work is currently underway on 11,000 km of the network.
The minister confirmed that construction is ongoing on five major rail projects: “Dostyk – Moyynty”, the “Almaty Bypass Line”, “Darbaza – Maktaaral”, “Moyynky – Kyzylzhar”, and “Bakhty – Ayagoz”, which are critical for enhancing domestic connectivity and international transit.
Rail Network Length in Central Asia (approximate operational length):
- Kazakhstan: 16,000 km. The region’s longest network, serving as a key Eurasian transit corridor.
- Uzbekistan: 6,300 km. One of the most intensively used networks in the region, with ongoing modernization efforts supported by international partners.
- Turkmenistan: 4,980 km. Strategically oriented towards gas and freight exports, with links to Iran and China.
- Kyrgyzstan: 427 km. Limited network, largely isolated, with dependence on neighboring countries for through traffic.
- Tajikistan: 680 km. Modest rail infrastructure, with recent projects focused on improving connectivity with Uzbekistan and China.
Experts note that while Kazakhstan’s rail system is the backbone of Central Asian freight, high levels of wear underscore the urgent need for investment. In contrast, countries like Uzbekistan have made significant progress in upgrading their networks, while Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan remain heavily reliant on road transport due to limited rail access.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
19 августа 2025 года