DUSHANBE. May 26. “Asia-Plus” — The official opening ceremony for the construction of a new railroad linking Mazari Sharif with Uzbek border was held today in Afghan city of Hairaton, Afghan Ariana-TV reported today.
President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kuroda and local Afghan officials took part in the ceremony.
“The new line between Mazari Sharif and Hairaton will let reduce the number of obstacles and barriers that emerge during rail transportations and will contribute to the development of trade and will speed up the long-awaited deliveries of humanitarian aid,” Ariana-TV quotes Mr Kuroda as saying. “The road will turn Afghanistan into an important route center for regional trade and commercial transportations and, what is most important, will let Afghanistan change its position at the global and regional arena.”
According to Afghanistan.ru, ADB allocated $165mln for the construction of this road. The road construction will be finished by the end of the year. New branch line will link Afghanistan with Uzbekistan’s railroads and will open access to European and Asian markets.
Afghanistan is planning to develop its network of railroads and, thus, develop its internal infrastructure and improve transport (and as a result economic) link with other states, including Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
