Building on the conclusions and recommendations of the Railway Development Study (ADB TA 7259-AFG) and with the objective to extend the now operational Hairatan to Mazar-e-Sharif Railway, the Government of Afghanistan has pro- posed to construct (i) a railway connecting Aqina to Kholm via Mazar which also includes Amu Darya Oil and Gas Block links to the main railway line (435km); and (ii) a new railway section/route from Mazar-e Sharif to Sherkhan Bandar, connecting Kholm to Sherkhan Bandar via Kalta Tumshuq and Kunduz, with a total length of about 205 km, above the original 35 km length.
If feasible, the extension of the existing railway in both east and west directions will foster cross border and regional trade, increase rail usage and the viability of the initial railway investment, and introduce competition in rail operations.
