Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project

The Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project is an extensive project undertaking with the objective of creating a direct railway link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, passing through Afghanistan's territory. This project aims to enhance trade and logistics efficiency by establishing a 573-km rail connection that would connect Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, to Kabul and Peshawar, the capitals of Afghanistan and a province of Pakistan, respectively.

Project Details

The estimated cost of the project is US$4.8 billion, and its implementation is anticipated to strengthen trade relations between Pakistan and South Asia. The trilateral agreement spanning 760 kilometers was signed by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, aiming to significantly reduce cargo delivery times between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by approximately five days.

The railway route will traverse through Termez, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Logar in Afghanistan, and continue to the Kharlachi border crossing in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district. Designed to facilitate both passenger and freight services, the railway is poised to foster regional trade and contribute to overall economic growth in the area.

Gauge

Three different gauges are involved:

• Iran in the West (1435mm)
• Afghanistan in the middle (1435mm)
• Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the North (1520mm) with dual gauge (1435mm) to bypass two breaks of gauge.
• Pakistan in the South (1676mm)
• China in the East (1435mm)

References

1. List of railway lines in Pakistan
2. Rail transport in Afghanistan
3. Transport in Afghanistan
4. Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
5. NATO logistics in the Afghan War
6. Afghanistan
7. Ashgabat Agreement
8. China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
9. Trans–Asian railway
10. Chabahar Port
11. Uzbekistan
12. Economy of Afghanistan
13. Pakistan
14. Five Nations Railway Corridor
15. 2003 in Afghanistan
16. Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
17. Iran–Pakistan relations
18. Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement
19. Afghanistan–India relations
20. Ashraf Ghani