The Head of Turkmenistan’s Railway Authority, along with a delegation, has expressed readiness to invest in the expansion and development of Afghanistan’s railway infrastructure. This announcement came during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Railways of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works.
In a two-day session, the delegations from both countries engaged in detailed discussions on enhancing joint railway cooperation. Key topics included the development of Torghundi Station and the extension of the Torghundi-Herat railway line, with an initial stretch of 22 kilometers.
The Turkmen delegation confirmed their willingness to invest in these projects, with costs to be recouped from revenues generated by the port after completion.
This development is expected to significantly boost trade and transit between the two nations, facilitating greater ease for the private sector.
Deputy Minister of Railways noted that the construction of the railway is scheduled to begin on September 1st of current year. The design for the first phase of the Torghundi-Herat railway project is currently in progress, and once completed, Turkmenistan will undertake the construction.
Additionally, discussions included plans for training programs for railway employees, the establishment of joint coordination groups, and the creation of a five-nation corridor involving Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.