Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan to reopen Zhibek Zholy checkpoint

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are preparing to reopen the Zhibek Zholy border checkpoint, known on the Uzbek side as Gishtkuprik, in September this year, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin said in an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

He noted that the development of road and rail border crossings remains a key area of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to him, the checkpoint’s capacity will be expanded to 70,000 people per day, up from the previous 30,000, as well as to more than 2,000 passenger vehicles.

The crossing, also known as Chernyaevka, was closed on February 5, 2025 for reconstruction, although the completion timeline has been revised several times. Modernization works have been ongoing since 2022. During the reconstruction period, alternative routes have been arranged for different categories of vehicles and pedestrians.

The two sides are also focusing on the development of railway infrastructure. In particular, plans include completing the Darbaza–Maktaaral railway line, which, according to the Kazakh side, will increase cargo traffic by 20 million tonnes and strengthen export flows toward Uzbekistan.

The 152-kilometer railway project, estimated at US$545 million, has been under implementation since late 2023. It is also aimed at redistributing freight flows from the Saryagash–Tashkent section and reducing congestion at the Saryagash station.

In addition, the countries continue developing the International Center for Industrial Cooperation based on the emerging infrastructure, which is expected to serve as a platform for joint manufacturing projects.