In the current spring season, large-scale work is planned for the construction of a transcontinental railway passing through the territory of Kyrgyzstan. Geodetic surveys have been completed, and financing issues have been successfully resolved. Thus, the project is moving into the active implementation stage.
Numerous discussions about the prospects this highway opens for Kyrgyzstan have already taken place. It provides access to the sea and creates the shortest connection between the main transport systems of the continent. However, these statements do not fully reflect the true scale and significance of the opportunities that the project offers. Essentially, it changes the development paradigm of the country, as transit opportunities are just the visible part of this process.
This project will impact the logistics of all of Eurasia, creating unique conditions for the development of domestic industry and the import of new technologies. It will act as a catalyst for economic growth in various sectors, opening new points for investment and expansion. Experts emphasize that this is not just about a change in paradigm, but also about a new geopolitical context and prospects for large-scale economic development.
Esan Usubaliev, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations at the Kyrgyz National University, emphasizes that Kyrgyzstan must prepare for a new stage of its development and interaction with partners.
At the same time, it is important to assess Kyrgyzstan's readiness for the upcoming changes in its role in the international system. One of the key directions is the training of specialists in vocational and higher education in new conditions.
Modern foreign policy requires new diplomats with knowledge in the fields of hydropower, water resource distribution, as well as transportation and digital technologies. It is crucial that Kyrgyzstan's participation in large projects is accompanied by the preparation of relevant specialists,” emphasizes Esan Usubaliev.
It is worth noting that the railway project in Kyrgyzstan is unique due to the complex geographical conditions. It is one of the most ambitious projects in the world, where a large part of the 311 kilometers of the route will pass through mountain ranges. Builders will need to construct 90 overpasses and lay about 50 tunnels with a total length of over 200 kilometers.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.7 billion. Initially, it was assumed that construction would take 5-6 years, but modern technologies allow for a significant acceleration of this timeline, and experts predict the possibility of completing the work in 3-4 years.
“Time is compressing, and the region is experiencing a need for the accelerated implementation of large infrastructure projects,” noted in an interview with IA “Kabar” senior analyst on Chinese-Kyrgyz economic cooperation Yue Hefu.
He also noted that “large-scale work” will begin in the spring of 2026.
According to the latest report, of the total length of the railway line of about 480 km, the section passing through Kyrgyzstan is 311.75 km. The geological conditions in this section are very complex, as the route passes through the high mountains of the Tien Shan. The line is planned to have more than 50 tunnels and over 90 bridges, with the share of bridges and tunnels exceeding 80%. The most complex work is being carried out on the tunnels through the Fergana Ridge and the Torugart tunnel, where construction continued even in the winter of 2025 using modern equipment.
With the onset of warm weather in March 2026 and the thawing of permafrost, full-scale construction will begin. According to the Ministry of Transport's plans, this spring more than 3,000 units of heavy machinery will be deployed to construction sites in the Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions. The main task at this stage is to complete earthworks on the high-altitude Arpa plateau and to build the infrastructure for the Makmal transshipment station.
Thus, spring 2026 will mark not only the start of large-scale work but also the beginning of an important stage in the history of infrastructure development in Kyrgyzstan,” concludes Yue Hefu.
A professor from China discussed the economic prospects of Kyrgyzstan after the launch of the railway. We are still not aware of the scale of the changes that are already taking place. Overcoming transport barriers will accelerate the transition to a new economic reality. Experts are already seeing the outlines of the near future.
“For a long time, public understanding of the economic benefits from the KKU railway was limited to ‘transit fees’. This income is indeed significant. According to conservative estimates of the feasibility study, at the beginning of operations, the volume of cargo transportation will be from 5 to 8 million tons per year, and in the long term, it will reach 13-15 million tons. These figures could bring the Kyrgyz budget about $200 million in direct transit income annually, ensuring a stable cash flow into the state budget.
However, focusing solely on transit fees underestimates the multiplicative effect that this railway brings.
Firstly, it is the “unlocking” of resources. The Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions, through which the road will pass, have significant reserves of gold, coal, and non-ferrous metals, but their commercial exploitation has been hampered by high transportation costs. In particular, the Kara-Keche coal mine and energy enterprises will gain access to international markets thanks to the railway. Thus, “illiquid assets” will turn into “working capital”.
Finally, these are the dividends from the export of agricultural products. China represents a huge market with 1.4 billion consumers. Previously, high-quality Kyrgyz honey, cherries, and meat had difficulty entering the Chinese market in large volumes due to delivery times and losses during road transport. After the railway is completed, our agricultural products will be able to reach Xinjiang in just 24 hours, and coastal cities in China in three days. This will create a “golden corridor” that will promote the “industrial modernization” of Kyrgyzstan's agriculture,” summarizes Yue Hefu.
Kyrgyzstan is becoming part of a new format of geo-economic interaction, actively cooperating with its closest and historical partners. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in strengthening its economy, and the next stage is the transition to a new level.
