Preparation of the feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan transport corridor has entered an active phase, announced Shokhrukh Gulyamov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade. He made the remarks today during the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia.
The deputy minister noted that field research for the project has already commenced.
"We have entered the active phase of preparing the feasibility study for this project. We have set a deadline for our team to present concrete figures to the governments by the end of this year, which will allow us to see exactly how to move this project forward," Shokhrukh Gulyamov said.
He emphasized that the initiative is viewed as one of the most strategically significant developments for the region.
"We all understand that this will be one of the most strategic, historic projects in our region, holding profound importance for the connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia," he stated.
Shokhrukh Gulyamov also revealed that authorities are looking to expand the Trans-Afghan corridor concept beyond a single route. "We do not view this corridor as just a single line. In the future, it could potentially become an interconnected network stretching across Afghanistan," he added.
According to the deputy minister, the project is unfolding within a broader regional context. This includes close cooperation with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, particularly in tandem with the new China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project.
"This must also become an integral component and will serve specifically to enhance connectivity between our provinces," he said.
In his address, he also highlighted the steady growth of trade and economic ties between the nations of Central and South Asia. He noted, however, that sustaining this momentum is impossible without robust transport networks and alternative transit routes.
As a reminder, in July 2025, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed a trilateral framework agreement in Kabul to develop the feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway. The mega-project outlines the construction of a 573-kilometer rail artery traversing Afghan territory. It is widely regarded as a pivotal transport corridor designed to link landlocked Central Asian nations to South Asian markets and Pakistani deep-water ports. Previous reports indicate that the project stakeholders are continuing to navigate financing options, secure technical partners, and refine the exact route alignment.
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