Kazakhstan Outlines Financing Plan for Turgundi–Herat Railway, Eyes 2026 Start

Kazakhstan has worked out the financing structure for the Turgundi–Herat railway project in Afghanistan, Deputy Transport Minister Maksat Kaliakparov said at a government meeting on Tuesday, Orda.kz reports, citing Vlast.kz.

It is planned to implement the construction of the Turgundi–Herat railway line with a length of 120 kilometers. To date, the financing structure has been worked out, and work is underway to attract investment, Kaliakparov said, noting that the project is scheduled for 2026–2027.

He emphasized that the project will enable exports and cargo transit to Afghanistan, with the prospect of reaching markets in Pakistan and India.

In early July, during the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization summit, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov told Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar that Kazakhstan was ready to invest in the railway.

Days later, Afghanistan’s Bakhtar state news agency, citing the press service of the government’s economic bloc, reported that an agreement had been signed for Kazakhstan to invest $500 million in the project.

In August, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin confirmed this, saying Kazakhstan would invest at least $500 million “in the first stage.”