Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 23 / Trend D.Azizov /
Uzbekistan intends to partake in the construction of new railways in Afghanistan with a support from the Asian Development Bank, Uzbek First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Rustam Azimov said at an international scientific-practical conference " The concept of further deepening of democratic reforms and formation of civil society in Uzbekistan" this week.
"The first section of the railway from Hairaton [close to the border with Uzbekistan] to Mazari-Sharif has already been completed. Further, we will construct the railway in the direction of Herat," Azimov said.
He said one branch will be laid in the direction of Herat and connect Afghanistan with Iran's railway network and the second branch will be laid from Herat to Kandahar and the border with Pakistan.
The construction of this railway will provide access to the major ports of Iran and Pakistan in the Persian Gulf that will help to stabilize and develop the Afghan economy. This will also be the shortest route out the Central Asia to seaports, Azimov said.
The railway construction will be completed within 3 to 4 years.
Uzbekistan Railways completed the construction of the Hairaton- Mazari-Sharif railway cost $ 129 million in November 2010.