Significant Progress on Final Section of Khaf–Herat Railway

DID Press: Final phase of the Khaf–Herat railway project—designed to connect the Guzara Industrial Township to the rail networks of Afghanistan and Iran—is advancing rapidly.

With accelerated construction on the last segment of the line, the Guzara Industrial Township is now close to being linked to the regional railway network.

Taliban authorities have announced that work on this stage, costing more than $54 million, is nearing completion and represents the final stretch of this strategically important regional transport route.

According to project officials, 20 kilometers of the total 47.3-kilometer section are currently under construction, with infrastructure development proceeding according to plan.

Tamim Rahimi, the Taliban’s project manager, emphasized the importance of quality execution, noting that four supervisors from the Ministry of Public Works monitor progress on a daily basis.

Ali Baqeri, an engineering supervisor from the same ministry, also confirmed ongoing quality control and continuous on-site monitoring.

Mohammad Yusuf Saeedi, spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Herat, described the Khaf–Herat railway as one of Afghanistan’s key national projects. He said:

“Once this route is completed, the capacity for moving goods—as well as the volume of exports and imports—will increase significantly.”

He added that rail-laying operations will begin soon as foundational work is completed.

Local officials say the project has not only economic importance but has also created hundreds of jobs for residents and helped prevent forced migration.

The first three sections of the railway were previously built by Iran, extending to the Rozanak station in Ghoriyan district. The fourth and final 78-kilometer segment is now being constructed by the Taliban government and will connect the Guzara Industrial Township to Afghanistan’s rail network.