The heads of Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (UTY) and the Afghan Railways Department have joined forces to repair a crucial section of the Hairatan-Naibabad-Mazar-e-Sharif railway, signaling a new era of cooperation between the two nations. This partnership holds the promise of not only revitalizing a key trade route but also fostering stronger economic ties.
On November 8, UTY's Zufar Narzullaev and Afghanistan's Railways Department Chief, Bakht-ar-Rahman Sharafat, reached an agreement to commence construction work promptly. The initiative involves the reconstruction of a railway branch, and UTY specialists are set to lead the efforts. According to the press release from UTY, this collaboration is expected to "open up new prospects for the development of railway connections between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, helping to strengthen trade and economic relations."
The decision for Uzbekistan Temir Yollari to undertake the repairs came in response to reports from the Afghan side indicating damage to a section of the railway. In an effort to expedite the restoration process while keeping costs at a minimum, Afghanistan extended an invitation to UTY. The Afghanistan Railway Administration highlighted the urgency of the situation, prompting UTY's Zufar Narzullaev to commit to executing the repairs "with high quality and at a reasonable price," even offering a 50% discount.
This railway section, stretching from Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif, holds strategic importance. Constructed by Uzbekistan Temir Yollari in November 2010 at a cost of $129mn, the 75 km line became operational, facilitated by a subsidiary named Sogdiana Trans, established in December 2011 to manage and maintain the railway in Afghanistan.
However, recent developments had cast uncertainty on UTY's continued operation of the railway. In April 2022, reports surfaced that Uzbekistan Temir Yollari might lose its operating rights as Afghanistan contemplated renegotiating contracts and transferring operations to local companies. Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojaev and a delegation visited Afghanistan in October, signaling diplomatic efforts to navigate the evolving situation.
In February 2023, Uzbekistan temporarily suspended rail transportation to Afghanistan due to technical work complications. This interruption was resolved with the signing of a new contract between Sogdiana Trans and the Afghan railway administration, bringing rail traffic back on track.
The collaborative effort to repair the railway aligns with the broader geopolitical context. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have expressed mutual intentions to boost trade, with a delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojaev, visiting Afghanistan in October. Both nations aim to increase their annual trade volume to $3bn, emphasizing the importance of streamlined transportation routes.
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