Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Torobaev took part in a ceremony launching the construction of a tunnel for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, a transport corridor linking East and West.
The event, held in the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region, marked the start of work on a 12-kilometer tunnel that will connect the Jalal-Abad and Naryn regions. It is considered one of the most critical infrastructure components of the CKU railway.
The construction project was initiated under the directive of President Sadyr Japarov. In his speech, Torobaev stressed the broader significance of the railway beyond transportation.
"This project is not only of infrastructural importance. It opens the way to improving the quality of life, economic growth, and strengthening ties between regions and peoples," Torobaev stated. "We are not just building a road — we are building the future."
Diplomatic representatives from China and Uzbekistan, along with senior government officials from the three countries, attended the event and voiced their commitment to the joint initiative. They described the railway as a symbol of unity, development, and shared aspirations for the future.
The CKU railway section passing through Kyrgyzstan will span more than 300 kilometers, with an estimated investment of $4.7bn. The project is expected to create over 20,000 jobs and significantly boost regional connectivity and economic activity.
In addition to the tunnel currently under construction, two more large tunnels of similar length are planned in the Jalal-Abad and Naryn regions. The railway’s route through Kyrgyzstan will also include 46 bridges totaling 120 kilometers and 27 tunnels — with tunnels and bridges accounting for about 40% of the entire segment.
The project poses complex engineering challenges due to the mountainous terrain, making it one of the most technically demanding infrastructure efforts in the region.
The groundwork for the railway was formally laid on December 27, 2024, during a virtual ceremony attended by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. All three leaders highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the railway for their countries and for broader regional connectivity.
China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan
The idea of building the CKU railway has been under discussion since 1996. Over nearly three decades, the three countries have held multiple rounds of negotiations, agreed several times on construction terms, and developed at least 18 feasibility studies. However, the project faced significant delays due to complex geographical terrain, differing railway track gauges, and, most notably, unresolved financing issues.
The railway will stretch along the Kashgar–Torugart–Makmal–Jalalabad–Andijan route and involve major infrastructure works, including the construction of 20 stations, 42 bridges, and 25 tunnels. In addition to the railway itself, modern transit and logistics infrastructure—such as warehouses and terminals—will be developed to support freight and cargo operations.
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