Rakhmetov noted that construction is progressing faster than expected.
"Currently, the project is ahead of schedule. We planned to complete it in six years, but if the pace continues, it may be possible to finish in four years," he added.
Additionally, he emphasized the economic benefits that the launch of the new route will bring.
"Firstly, the distance between China and Europe, as well as between China and Central Asia and the Caucasus, will be reduced by more than 1,000 kilometers compared to existing routes. This will have a significant impact on our rapidly growing economy," explained the deputy head of "Uzbekiston Temir Yullari."
The Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov, also commented on the new project. He noted that the railway will create the shortest regional route connecting Central and South Asia. The promising Trans-Afghan corridor will provide Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries with direct access to the Indian Ocean through Pakistani ports, significantly increasing the region's transit capabilities. Makhkamov believes that these two directions will eventually become part of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, forming a continuous multimodal route from China to Europe.
It is worth reminding that on December 27, 2024, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway began in Jalal-Abad. The general director of the state enterprise "Kyrgyz Temir Zholu," Azamat Sakiyev, previously reported that construction could take about six years.
According to the project, the international transport corridor will follow the route Kashgar - Torugart - Makmal - Jalal-Abad - Andijan.
The total length of the railway will be 532.53 kilometers, of which about 312 kilometers will be located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
The preliminary cost of the project is estimated at $4.7 billion.
