President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inspected the latest developments in Uzbekistan’s railway sector during a recent visit to the Urgench-Khiva electrified railway line and locally manufactured passenger carriages.
The modernization of the country’s railway infrastructure is advancing rapidly. The 465-kilometer Bukhara–Urgench–Khiva railway has now been fully electrified. Protective barriers and key engineering structures have been installed along the route.
Six high-speed electric trains manufactured by South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem have been acquired for the line. These trains will be introduced next year on the Tashkent–Khiva route under the name Jaloliddin Manguberdi.
The introduction of electric trains will significantly reduce travel time between Tashkent and Khiva—from 14 hours to 7 hours and 40 minutes. Annual passenger capacity is expected to exceed 3mn, while freight capacity is projected to grow sixfold, from 1mn tons to 6mn tons.
The president also examined newly built passenger carriages, a result of reforms initiated by his October 2023 decree on overhauling the railway transport sector. A $50mn allocation from the Reconstruction and Development Fund is supporting the production of these carriages. The first 10 units were completed in early 2025.
Over the next two years, the number of modern passenger cars will rise to 70, replacing outdated models and enabling the transport of over 1mn additional passengers each year. The Head of State reviewed the comfort and amenities of the new carriages.
President Mirziyoyev joined the public on a ride from Urgench to Khiva aboard one of the new trains. During the journey, he observed landscaping efforts along the railway and inspected the planting of tree seedlings at field borders.
As part of the nationwide “Yashil Makon (Green Nation)” initiative, nearly 10mn tree and shrub seedlings were planted in the region last year. Green belts have also been created around major industrial facilities.
This spring, agricultural activities in the region have intensified. More than 1,100 hectares of land, including areas around canals, have been planted with high-yield crops. These fields are being supported by entrepreneurs who have committed to purchase the produce under guaranteed agreements. Additionally, the “Agroko'makchi” mobile application is providing public updates on the use and condition of these lands.
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