Russia and Uzbekistan sign agreement to launch Trans-Afghan railway project

The document was signed between the Ministries of Transport of Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as the national railway companies — Russian Railways (RZD) and Uzbekistan Railways. Under the agreement, Russia’s specialized project institutions will work jointly with their Uzbek counterparts throughout 2025 to develop sections of the feasibility study for the construction of the railway. This will include projected freight volumes and assessments of economic viability along agreed routes.

Two specific routes have been outlined for the project:

1. Mazar-i-Sharif – Herat – Dilorom – Kandahar – Chaman
2. Termez – Naibabad – Logar – Kharlachi

Previously, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan extended their agreement on the use of the Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif railway, further strengthening bilateral cooperation on regional connectivity.

Analysts at the Eurasian Development Bank have assessed the potential of developing a Trans-Afghan corridor that would link the railway networks of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The projected cost of the project is estimated at $4.8 billion.