Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a protocol for the development of a feasibility study (FS) for the Jaloliddini-Balkhi–Panji Poyon railway project. The agreement was formalized in Dushanbe, marking a step toward enhancing regional connectivity.
Tajikistan's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, emphasized that the railway aims to connect Tajikistan with South Asian markets, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The proposed railway is expected to foster regional trade, maintain existing highways, and alleviate road congestion.
"If successfully implemented, Tajikistan will become a key railway transit hub, boosting goods and product transportation in the region," Ibrohim stated.
Acting South Korean Ambassador to Tajikistan, Jeon Sung-sik, hailed the project as a milestone for Tajikistan's future progress.
"This railway will enable Tajikistan to access maritime routes and become a crucial link in international transportation," he said.
The project marks South Korea's inaugural railway construction venture in Central Asia, with hopes for its completion within three years.
The protocol, following multiple discussions between the involved parties, covers all organizational and legal aspects of the FS. The study is projected to cost $4mn. The planned railway will stretch approximately 51 kilometers, including the construction of 28 bridges and 160 drainage systems.
Earlier, Minister Ibrohim noted that the budget for the Tajik section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan (TAT) railway would be determined post-feasibility study completion. The Tajik section of the TAT railway will span 50 kilometers and include a one-kilometer bridge across the Panj River. KOICA specialists have been involved in preliminary work for this feasibility study.
The TAT railway, part of a larger regional transportation initiative, aims to link Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed on March 20, 2013, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The 400-kilometer rail line is set to connect Afghanistan's Akina-Andkhoy to Turkmenistan’s Atamurat-Ymamnazar and Tajikistan’s Panj. The project was officially inaugurated on June 5, 2013, in Lebap, Turkmenistan, with the presidents of the three nations participating in a ceremonial time capsule burial.
This railway is expected to open new transit routes between Central Asia and global markets via Indian Ocean ports, offering a shorter alternative to existing routes through Russia. It aims to diversify transportation options for Tajikistan and Afghanistan, enhancing regional trade and connectivity.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)