Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to open Gishtkuprik border crossing in September

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to open the Gishtkuprik (Zhibek Zholy) border crossing in September, significantly increasing its capacity as the sides look to expand road and rail links.

The checkpoint, also known as Chernyaevka, will see its daily capacity rise from 30,000 to 70,000 people and will be able to handle more than 2,000 passenger vehicles a day, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin said in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

"Work is currently underway to expand road and railway checkpoints between our countries," Zhumangarin said. "In particular, the Zhibek Zholy checkpoint will be launched in September this year."

The crossing was closed on February 5, 2025, for major construction and reconstruction, initially scheduled to last four months, though the timeline has been extended several times. Reconstruction work at the site has been ongoing since 2022.

During the closure, authorities designated alternative routes for pedestrians, freight transport, and rail traffic.

New railway line to add 20 million tonnes of cargo capacity

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan also plan to complete construction of the new Darbaza–Maktaaral railway line this year.

"This year we will complete construction of the Darbaza–Maktaaral railway, which will add an additional 20 million tonnes of cargo capacity," Zhumangarin said. "Respectively, the Maktaaral–Syrdarya station will begin operating at full capacity."

Construction of the railway began in late November 2023, with the line expected to stretch 152 km. Kazakhstan has said the $545 million project will allow cargo to be redirected from the existing Saryagash–Tashkent route, ease congestion at Saryagash station, and boost export shipments to Uzbekistan.

Authorities are also developing the International Centre for Industrial Cooperation (ICIC), which is expected to serve as a hub for joint production projects.

Leaders meet in Bukhara to advance clean air and water initiatives

On April 11, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Bukhara, where the two sides agreed to jointly advance a "Clean Air" initiative in border regions and cooperate on water management. They also pledged to modernize border infrastructure to improve access to foreign markets.