China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Project to Be Completed in Five Years

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Central Asia, is expected to be fully completed within five years, according to Kyrgyz Minister of Transport and Communications Absattar Syrgabayev in an interview with Kun.uz.

He stated that the project is being jointly financed by China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with the main contractor being the Chinese state-owned company China Railways, a leading construction operator in the country. Construction began in July 2024 following the signing of a key intergovernmental agreement between the three countries earlier that summer. The new railway line will connect China’s western regions with Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan and will become one of the main corridors of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The line will stretch approximately 450 kilometers, with an estimated project cost of 5–6 billion USD. Exact participation shares of each country have not been disclosed, but it is known that funding comes from the three governments and international financial institutions.

During a visit to Tashkent for the CASSA+ meeting and the Central Asian Transport Ministers’ conference on November 12, Syrgabayev confirmed steady progress on construction. “Work on the project has already begun. The main contractor is China Railways, and construction is carried out under Chinese supervision. All financing issues have been resolved: Kyrgyzstan has fulfilled its obligations, and Uzbekistan and China are also funding their shares. Construction is proceeding on schedule,” the minister noted.

He added that the project will be completed within five years. Once operational, the railway will shorten the freight route from China to Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, and Europe by about 900 kilometers, reducing delivery times by 7–8 days.

Moreover, the project will reduce Central Asian countries’ dependence on Russian transit routes and strengthen Uzbekistan’s role as a key international logistics hub.