AT
Kabul: The final part of the fourth section of the Khaf-Herat railway in Afghanistan will be implemented by a Russian company, as per the contract recently signed. This section, spanning 47 kilometers and costing $53 million, is expected to be completed within the next two years, according to the country’s Railway Authority.
Bakht Rahman Sharafat, the Head of the Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA), highlighted the significance of this project, stating that it will connect Afghanistan to Europe via railway upon completion. He emphasized the project’s strategic importance, given its proximity to Central Asia and Russia, and noted Russia’s support for the initiative.
The governor of Herat emphasized the economic benefits of the railway, stating that it will enhance connectivity with neighboring countries such as Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and European nations.
Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the governor of Herat, expressed the local community’s reverence for the railway project, emphasizing its role in connecting cultures and nations.
The contracting company responsible for the project, Gama Group, stated that practical work will be carried out by Russian, Turkish, and Afghan partners over the next two years.
Upon completion of the Herat-Khaf railway, the Afghanistan Railway Authority plans to extend the railway network to provinces including Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, and Kandahar.