Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov officially inaugurated the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway on December 27, as announced by the presidential press service.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Tosh-Kutchu village, Jalal-Abad region, with officials from China and Uzbekistan in attendance.
In his speech, Japarov called the project a historic event, marking the beginning of a new era in regional transport infrastructure development. He extended his gratitude to China and Uzbekistan for their support in realizing the project.
Japarov highlighted the railway's strategic significance as a bridge connecting East and West, forming the southern link of Eurasia’s continental trade corridor. This route is expected to facilitate cargo transportation from China through Kyrgyzstan to Central Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, and the European Union.
Japarov emphasized that the project would strengthen interregional ties, enhance the region’s role as a global transportation hub, and create thousands of jobs during construction. He underscored its importance for Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth and improving the lives of millions.
Project Details
The railway will follow the route Kashgar–Torugart–Makmal–Jalal-Abad–Andijan, stretching approximately 454 kilometers, with 280 kilometers running through Kyrgyz territory. The line will feature:
18 stations,
81 large and medium-sized bridges,
41 tunnels.
The governments of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on June 6 to jointly advance the project. A joint venture was established to oversee its implementation.
Initially estimated at $1.34 billion, the project’s cost rose to $8 billion by April 2024.
