Uzbekistan Moves to Field Study Phase of Trans-Afghan Corridor Project

DID Press: Uzbekistan has entered the practical feasibility-study phase of the Trans-Afghan Corridor project, with field research now underway on one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives.

Speaking at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, Shahrokh Ghulamov said working teams have been tasked with completing key assessments and presenting detailed findings to participating governments by the end of the year.

Ghulamov described the Trans-Afghan Corridor as a strategic and historic project that could significantly strengthen connectivity, transit, and trade between Central Asia and South Asia.

He noted that the initiative is expected to evolve beyond a single transit route and could eventually form part of a broader transportation network within Afghanistan, creating new links across the region.

The Uzbek official also highlighted regional cooperation with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, noting that the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway is another key component of efforts to expand regional transport infrastructure.

According to Ghulamov, stronger trade ties between Central and South Asian countries require improved transportation networks and alternative transit routes.

The Trans-Afghan railway project is regarded as a cornerstone of this vision. In July 2025, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan signed a trilateral agreement in Kabul to prepare the project’s feasibility study.

Under the proposal, a railway would pass through Afghanistan and connect Central Asia to Pakistani seaports, creating a new trade corridor for regional commerce and cargo movement.

Officials say efforts are continuing to secure financing, engage technical partners, and finalize route options, while the feasibility study will serve as the basis for decisions on the project’s eventual implementation.