BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. ADB is collaborating with the Turkmenistan Railways Agency to implement the TransTurkmenistan Railway Modernization Project, which aims to modernize and electrify a 1,147-km railway line between Turkmenabat, Mary, Ashgabat, and Turkmenbashi (TMAT), Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Country Director for Turkmenistan Artur Andrysiak told Trend.
“This important project will help modernize and electrify the 1,147 km East-West railway line linking the port city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, the capital city of Ashgabat, the major junction at Mary, and Turkmenabat near the border with Uzbekistan,” he noted.
According to the official, the project forms part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 2, 3, and 6, making it a key route for not only Central Asian trade but also trans-Eurasian transit between China and Europe, as well as the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
“The project will play a critical role in enhancing Turkmenistan's regional connectivity and improving its strategic positioning within international supply chains,” Andrysiak noted.
Phase 1 of the project, expected to be completed by 2025, will focus on modernizing the 171 km section between Ashgabat and Dushak.
“This phase will include double tracking where necessary to meet demand and financing for constructing a concrete sleeper plant. Additionally, ADB will assist in scaling up the operational and institutional capacity of the Turkmenistan Railways Agency,” he added.
Subsequent phases will continue the electrification and modernization efforts, with Phase 2 focusing on the Dushak–Mary section and the Ashgabat–Mary line electrification.
“Set to begin in 2026/27, this phase aims to contribute to decarbonizing Turkmenistan's rail network by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Later phases will cover the modernization of the railway sections from Mary to Turkmenabat and from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi,” the official said.
The project is expected to significantly boost the efficiency, reliability, and safety of Turkmenistan’s rail transport, contributing to the integration of both domestic and international supply chains, thus supporting the country’s broader goals of trade facilitation and connectivity.
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program includes six major transport and trade corridors to boost regional connectivity and economic integration. CAREC Corridor 2 connects Europe, the Mediterranean, and East Asia. Corridor 3 facilitates trade between Russia and the Middle East and South Asia. Corridor 6 links Europe to the Middle East and South Asia. These corridors aim to improve infrastructure and streamline trade across these regions.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a key partner to Turkmenistan, supporting improvements in transport infrastructure, and economic diversification. As of December 31, 2023, ADB had committed $634 million through 14 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance projects to Turkmenistan. The current sovereign portfolio includes a $500 million loan, with cumulative sovereign loan disbursements totaling $592.54 million.
