Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is stepping up efforts on one of its most ambitious infrastructure initiatives — the Trans-Afghan Railway. In an interview with the O’zbekiston 24 television channel, Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriev shared new details about the project, calling it the second most strategically important initiative for the country after the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.

On 17 July, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed a framework intergovernmental agreement to develop a feasibility study (FS) for the future railway line along the route Termiz – Naibabad – Maidan Shar – Logar – Kharlachi. The agreement marks a turning point, enabling concrete action such as route mapping, geological surveys, and economic and financial assessments.

“This agreement is a crucial first step we’ve been aiming for over a long time. It will help justify the project not only for us, but also for our international partners,” said Choriev. He noted that interest in collaborative development began to emerge immediately after the agreement was signed.

The railway is set to provide Uzbekistan with the shortest access to seaports — specifically, Pakistan’s ports in Karachi. In its initial phase, the project aims to carry up to 3 million tonnes of cargo annually, with plans to scale up to 15–20 million tonnes by 2035–2040.

The entire project is scheduled for completion within five years. The Afghan side has provided security guarantees, including infrastructure protection throughout all stages of construction. The Ministry of Transport emphasized that Afghanistan itself is deeply interested in the development of transit corridors, which are vital for its economic recovery and long-term stability.

The route through Pakistan involves challenging mountainous terrain, requiring the construction of five tunnels and 312 bridges. The project will employ advanced engineering technologies and fast-track construction methods.

When asked about the project's strategic importance, Choriev highlighted that the Trans-Afghan corridor is seen as a shorter and parallel alternative to existing routes through Russia and Iran. Ongoing logistical difficulties on those corridors have made the search for new routes increasingly urgent for Uzbekistan.

The Trans-Afghan Railway is part of Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to position itself as a key transit hub in Eurasia, connecting Central and South Asia into a unified transport network.