2.4 Afghanistan Railway Assessment
Overview
Afghanistan's rail network is still in the developing stage. The current rail lines connect neighbouring countries in the north with short stretches in Afghanistan.
The three lines are: Mazar-i-Sharif and the border town of Hairatan in Balkh province, which then connects with the rail network of neighboring Uzbekistan. The second links Toraghundi in Herat province with Serhetabat in Turkmenistan. The third is between Aqina in Faryab province and neighboring Turkmenistan. The country currently lacks a passenger rail service.
North of Afghanistan (Mazar-e-Sharif via Hairatan) connects Afghanistan to Asian countries through Termez of Uzbakistan. Considering the location of this rail-line, it operates nonstop throughout the year with no seasonal hindrance. Termez (Uzbakistan) to Mazar-e-Sharif is 75 km long. The line starts at the Hayratan freight terminal on the Afghan side of the Uzbek border. It runs through an empty landscape to a freight terminal near Mazar-i-Sharif airport.
In December 2020, Iran and Afghanistan inaugurated the first cross-border railway link between the two countries. Work on the 225– kilometres railway line, which links Khaf in eastern Iran with Herat in western Afghanistan began in 2007. Khaf-Herat railroad is totally 225 km long in 4 parts. Part 1 and 2 of this routes is from Khaf to Shamtiq in Iran which is 78 km long. Part 3 is from Shamtiq to Rozanak in Afghanistan which is 62 km long. This part includes Rozanak Station which is constructed by Iran’s funding for development of Afghanistan. Part 4 is from Rozanak to Herat which its construction is now under consideration by Afghanistan's authorities. A freight forwarder in Iran confirmed the recently opened train route for potential deliveries from Bandar Abbas to Rozanak rail station in Afghanistan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Afghanistan
Trans-National Infrastructures
The Trans-Asian Railway Network, flanked by the Trans-Asian Road network, the latest partially under construction, constitute a consolidated freight route access connecting neighbouring countries and a vast inter-continental network.
Map: http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/TAR%20map_1Nov2016.pdf
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Asian_Railway
Planned network:
Afghanistan Railway Authority https://sites.google.com/site/indianoceancommunity1/trans-asian-highway
Wikipedia Information on Afghanistan Railway Network
Railway Companies and Consortia
Company Geographic Email & Website Phone Number Phone Number Description of Coverage (office) (mobile) Services
Uzbek National Uzbekistan [email protected] (+99871) 299-72-16 (+99871) 233-69-24 Rail Carrier Railway http://www.uzrailway.uz/uzb. html
Key Stations
Location Hairaton Mazar-i-Sharif
Contact Information n/a n/a
Connections with other transport means Yes, Road and Water Yes, Road
Storage Capacity Yes Yes
Handling Equipment Yes Yes
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