Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In December, representatives of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed a plan for the construction of the Kyzylorda - Uchkuduk road and railroad. It is expected that the length of the highway will be 280 km, including 140 km through the territory of Kazakhstan.

In 2024-2025, it is planned to develop a feasibility study (FS), and from 2025 to begin construction of the road within two to three years, LS reported quoting the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“The estimated cost of the construction of the road will be 75 billion tenge (about US$172 million), including the cost of 5 billion tenge (US$11.4 million) for the construction of the checkpoint," the ministry said.

According to the ministry's expectations, this path will unite the Central Asian countries through the southern, central and northern regions of Kazakhstan with Russia. The road will be part of the international corridor "Kyzylorda - Jezkazgan - Pavlodar - Russian border"

In addition, the Uzbek side is initiating the construction of a new railway line "Kyzylorda - Uchkuduk". A joint action plan has been signed. It remains to conduct an economic analysis to develop a feasibility study.

However, this is not the only railway in the plans of both countries.

To increase the tourist potential, the issue of building a high-speed highway "Turkestan - Shymkent - Tashkent" in 2021-2024 is being considered. This project will unite the largest historical and cultural centers of Central Asia, increase passenger traffic to 1.9 million passengers per year at a speed of 250 km / h.

The construction of the Darbaza - Maktaral railway lines with access to the Uzbek railway lines with a length of 115 km is also being worked out.

It is expected that this railway will reduce the transit distance to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, relieve the existing Saryagash checkpoint, connect Maktaral region with the main railway, without the need to travel through the territory of Uzbekistan.