Taliban, Consortium Push to Accelerate Major Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif Rail Project

DID Press: Taliban officials and representatives of an Afghan railway development consortium have discussed ways to accelerate construction of the Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway line, one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, during talks held in Mashhad.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed consul general in Mashhad, Noor Mohammad Mottaqi, and Mustafa Rezaei, head of the executive board of the Afghan Railway Construction and Development Consortium, emphasized the need to speed up implementation of the rail project during a joint meeting.

The two sides reviewed progress on the Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway and stressed the importance of removing existing obstacles and advancing construction stages without delay.

They also discussed facilitating travel for engineers, experts, and technical personnel involved in the project to ensure smoother implementation.

Both parties highlighted the importance of increasing the participation of Afghan companies and private sector actors in different phases of construction, describing local involvement as a key factor in accelerating progress.

The Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif railway is considered one of Afghanistan’s most significant infrastructure projects, expected to improve transport connectivity, boost trade flows, and strengthen economic integration across the country.