Taliban Government's Ambitious Trans-Afghan Railway Project: Connecting Central and South Asia

In Hairatan, northern Afghanistan, 3,500 tons of flour and 1,500 tons of wheat are unloaded daily from freight trains to trucks. The Taliban government plans to renovate the railway to connect with Mazar-i-Sharif and eventually establish the Trans-Afghan Railway, a 700-kilometer track linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Why this matters: The Trans-Afghan Railway project has significant implications for regional trade and economic connectivity, potentially boosting economic growth and stability in Central and South Asia. If successful, the project could increase Afghanistan's trade with neighboring countries, reduce reliance on single routes, and enhance regional cooperation.

The renovation of the 75-kilometer track from Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif is expected to be completed by June. The Trans-Afghan Railway aims to become an economic corridor between Central Asia and South Asia, facilitating trade and connectivity in the region.

Mohammad Shafiq Mahmood, head of the Balkh railway authority in Mazar-i-Sharif, emphasized the project's potential, stating, "Trans-Afghan will become the economic corridor between Central Asia and South Asia."

The Taliban authorities are also pursuing a second railway project, more than 200 kilometers long, to connect the city of Herat with Iran. This line will provide Afghanistan with an outlet to the sea, Turkey, and Europe, significantly impacting Afghanistan's economy.

The construction phase of the Trans-Afghan Railway is estimated to take three to five years, with a preliminary price tag of $4-5 billion. However, the project faces several challenges, including securing foreign financial and technical aid, which has dwindled since the Taliban's return to power in 2021.

Andrew Grantham, news editor of Railway Gazette International, expressed skepticism about the project's timeline, stating, "Building a railway on that scale in five years, it's not going to happen. It's just too ambitious."

The Taliban government is in discussions with various countries and financial institutions for funding. Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, in addition to Russia, are already working with Afghanistan on these railway projects.

Abdulsami Durrani, national railway spokesperson in Kabul, highlighted the importance of the railway projects for Afghanistan's trade, stating, "The more kilometers of railways are developed in the country, the more our trade with other countries will increase."

The Trans-Afghan Railway project, along with the Herat-Iran railway, represents significant efforts by the Taliban government to revive Afghanistan's infrastructure and economic connectivity. The success of these projects will depend heavily on securing the necessary funding and overcoming technical and security challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Taliban gov't plans to renovate Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif railway, connecting Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
• Trans-Afghan Railway aims to boost regional trade, economic growth, and stability in Central and South Asia.
• Project faces challenges, including securing foreign aid, with a $4-5 billion price tag and 3-5 year construction timeline.
• Taliban gov't also pursues 200km Herat-Iran railway, providing Afghanistan with an outlet to the sea, Turkey, and Europe.
• Success depends on securing funding and overcoming technical and security challenges.