The Rail Conundrum: Afghanistan's Transport Trajectory

Afghanistan has three railway lines in the north of the country. The country currently lacks a passenger rail service, but there are cargo lines. Afghanistan's first new railroad in over 100 years was inaugurated in 2010, connecting the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif to the Uzbek border. The construction of railroads in Afghanistan has been opposed by various leaders due to fears that foreign powers could use them to threaten their independence. Despite this, the country has plans to extend its rail network and develop a new North-South trade corridor, connecting energy-rich Central Asia to energy-hungry South Asia.

Afghanistan's first new railroad in over 100 years

The railway was built by an Uzbek company and funded in part by loans from the Asian Development Bank, with approximately $165 million through its Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC). The United States and Japan are the two largest shareholders of the bank. The Afghan government provided $5 million.

The railway connects Afghanistan through Uzbekistan to the vast regional markets in Europe and Asia. It is also part of an ambitious plan to develop a new "North-South" trade corridor, linking energy-rich Central Asia to energy-hungry South Asia through Afghanistan.

The new railroad is Afghanistan's first in over a century, as a former monarch, Amir Abdurrahman, banned rail lines as potential invasion routes in the 1880s. Afghanistan's various leaders have often opposed railway construction, fearing that foreign powers could use railways to threaten their independence.

Despite this, Afghanistan had a handful of short lines in the past. In the 1920s, King Amanullah Khan built a 7-kilometre-long railroad in downtown Kabul. The locomotive is now a curiosity at the Kabul Museum, standing below the ruins of the former king's battle-scarred palace.

In addition to the new railroad to Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan has also recently completed its first rail link with Iran, which runs from the eastern Iranian town of Khaf to the city of Herat in western Afghanistan.

The country's three railway lines

Afghanistan has three main railway lines in the north of the country. The country currently lacks a passenger rail service, but there are plans to introduce one in the future.

The first railway line runs between Mazar-i-Sharif and the border town of Hairatan in Balkh province, which then connects with Uzbek Railways in Uzbekistan. Construction began in 2010 and was completed in 2011. The line is 75km long and was built by an Uzbek company contracted by the Afghan government. The railway has dramatically increased capacity for freight passing through Hairatan, the main shipping terminal at the Uzbek-Afghan border.

The second railway line links Torghundi in Herat province with Turkmen Railways in Turkmenistan. This line was opened in 1960 and is one of two short cross-border lines from Turkmenistan. An upgrade of the line began in 2007.

The third railway line is between Turkmenistan and Aqina in Faryab province, Afghanistan. This line was opened in 2016 and extends south to the city of Andkhoy. Another line was opened in November 2016, connecting Aqina in Faryab province via Ymamnazar with Atamyrat/Kerki in Turkmenistan. Work soon began on a 58km extension to Andkhoy, which was completed in January 2021.

There are plans to extend the current rail lines in Afghanistan in the near future, including lines for both cargo and passenger transportation. The main plan is to use Afghanistan to connect the four subcontinents of Asia by rail.

The lack of passenger trains

Afghanistan currently has no passenger rail services, despite recent developments in its rail network. The country has three railway lines in the north, with a fourth recently completed, connecting Herat to Khaf in Iran for cargo and passengers. However, this new line has not been mentioned as a passenger service in some sources.

Historically, Afghanistan's leaders have opposed railway construction due to fears that foreign powers could utilise them to threaten the country's independence. This concern is not unfounded, as railways can indeed facilitate foreign interference. As a result, past Afghan governments prioritised preventing foreign interference over the potential benefits of rail connectivity.

Additionally, security concerns pose significant challenges to the operation of passenger trains in Afghanistan. The proposed MCC railroad, for example, would traverse heavily contested Taliban territory, raising questions about the safety of such investments. The Taliban's growing influence in several northern provinces, including Konduz, neighbouring Balkh province, where the railroad is located, further complicates the security situation.

The country's history of conflict, isolation, and poverty have also contributed to the lack of passenger trains. Afghanistan skipped the era of railroads, with people transitioning from horseback to automobiles on poor roads. The country's economy relies heavily on trucks to transport goods, and it lacks the necessary equipment and technical skills for railway development and maintenance.

Despite these challenges, there are plans to introduce passenger services on some lines, such as the Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif section and the Mazar-i-Sharif–Aqina section. These proposals aim to improve connectivity and boost the country's economic prospects.

The use of trains for cargo

Afghanistan has a limited railway network, with three railway lines in the north of the country. The country currently lacks a passenger rail service, but there are some cargo lines.

The first cargo line is between Mazar-i-Sharif and the border town of Hairatan in Balkh province, which connects with Uzbek Railways in Uzbekistan. The second cargo line links Torghundi in Herat province with Turkmen Railways in Turkmenistan. The third cargo line is between Turkmenistan and Aqina in Faryab province, extending south to the city of Andkhoy.

Trains can also play a crucial role in supporting economic growth and development in Afghanistan. By improving connectivity with neighbouring countries, trains can facilitate trade and the import of essential goods. For instance, the Mazar-i-Sharif to Hairatan cargo line is expected to boost the Afghan economy by increasing the flow of goods from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Russia.

Furthermore, trains can contribute to the extraction and transportation of Afghanistan's mineral wealth. The country's government relies on mineral resources as a key engine for economic growth and recognises the importance of transport infrastructure in successful mineral extraction. Trains can provide an efficient and reliable means of transporting minerals and other natural resources to domestic and international markets.

In addition to the existing cargo lines, there are plans for future rail links that will further enhance Afghanistan's cargo transport capabilities. These include proposed cargo lines connecting Herat to Khaf in Iran, Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif, and Mazar-i-Sharif to Aqina. The extension of these rail lines will create opportunities for additional cargo services and improve Afghanistan's connectivity with its neighbouring countries.

The impact of trains on Afghanistan's economy

Afghanistan's economy has been reliant on convoys of trucks to ship goods, but the development of its railway system is expected to have a significant impact. The country currently has three railway lines in the north, with plans to extend these and develop a wider system. The impact of trains on Afghanistan's economy is expected to be positive, with improved connectivity and faster, cheaper transportation of goods.

The first of these railway lines connects Mazar-i-Sharif to the border town of Hairatan in Balkh province, which then connects with Uzbek Railways in Uzbekistan. This line, completed in 2011, has improved trade relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, with construction materials and other goods being transported more efficiently across the border. The second line links Torghundi in Herat province with Turkmen Railways in Turkmenistan and was opened in 1960. The third line, opened in 2016, runs between Turkmenistan and Aqina in Faryab province, extending south to the city of Andkhoy. These three lines form the basis of Afghanistan's current railway network, with plans to extend and develop further connections.

The impact of these railway lines on Afghanistan's economy is already being felt, with reduced delivery times and improved efficiency in freight transportation. Afghanistan's landlocked geography has made it dependent on its neighbours for trade, and the railway network is expected to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade. The Asian Development Bank, which has provided funding for the construction of these railway lines, anticipates that they will contribute to revitalising the Afghan economy. Improved rail infrastructure will make it easier and more cost-effective to import goods such as grain, fuel, and foodstuffs from neighbouring countries.

In addition to the existing lines, there are plans for a passenger rail service between Herat and Khaf in Iran, which will also accommodate cargo. This line is expected to further enhance Afghanistan's trade relations, providing a link to Turkey, Europe, and Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. The development of a railway network within Afghanistan is also expected to create job opportunities for its citizens, as seen with the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif line, which employed workers from both Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

However, one challenge to the expansion of Afghanistan's railway network is the security concern posed by the Taliban. The proposed MCC railroad, for example, runs through heavily contested Taliban territory, and the security environment will need to be carefully assessed before proceeding with construction. Nonetheless, the potential economic benefits of improved rail infrastructure are significant, and Afghanistan's leaders recognise the importance of transport infrastructure for the country's economic growth, particularly for mineral extraction.

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