cable- The “Herat -Khoya” railway is an essential part of the initiatives adopted by the Afghanistan government to improve the transport infrastructure and enhance commercial ties with neighboring countries.
The project, which connects the city of Herat (western Afghanistan) to the city of Khawaf (eastern Iran), aims to facilitate the movement of trade between Afghanistan and the countries of the region, and is expected to have positive economic impacts in the long run.
Historical context
The “Herat -Khwaf” railway project began in 2007 when the Afghan government was seeking to develop a transportation infrastructure that contributed to facilitating trade and enhancing economic ties with neighboring countries, and at that time, Afghanistan had an urgent need to improve transportation networks, especially in light of the increasing pressure on existing facilities and the high cost of land transport.
An agreement was signed between Afghanistan and Iran in 2012 to develop a railway linking the city of Herat and the city of Khawaf, as part of a major plan to connect Afghanistan to the regional and international rail network.
The works began to build the iron line in 2016, and the first part was opened in 2018, after which the government began expanding the project by cooperation with international companies, completing the financial arrangements necessary for that.
Build the supplementary part
The Afghan government signed in March 2024 contracts to build the supplementary part of the railway line at a total cost of $ 53 million. The contract is related to the second phase of the fourth part of the “Khawaf -Herat” line, which extends over 47 km.
The project is expected to be completed within two years, and with the completion of this part, the city of Herat will fully connect to the rail network and Iranian ports, which will facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between Afghanistan and the countries of the region, and contribute to promoting trade exchange between Central and South Asia.
This part of the project is the last step in linking the state of Herat to the regional transport network, which will accelerate the transportation of goods and enhance the economic capabilities of the region.
Project development
The Afghan government pays great attention to the development of the transport infrastructure, especially the “Herat -Khawa” railway project.
In this context, a spokesman for the governor of Herat, Mohamed Youssef Saidi, told Al -Jazeera Net:
He added that “this is one of the many shipments that we are witnessing via the Herat-Khwaf railway, which reflects the role of the line in facilitating the commercial movement and improving the economic situation in the region.”
For his part, a spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Public Works, Muhammad Ashraf Haq Shanas, told Al -Jazeera Net: “We are focusing on strengthening cooperation with Iran in the field of railways, and we have witnessed an increase in the movement of transport through this line.”
He stressed that “strengthening technical capabilities in this field is very important to ensure the implementation of transportation operations with high efficiency, and we are looking for joint investment opportunities with Iran and other partners, to improve the railway infrastructure in Afghanistan.”
In previous statements, a spokesman for the Afghan government, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed that “Iran is committed to expanding the Khota -Herat railway project to include additional areas such as Bakhshshan to China. This project will make Herat a major economic and commercial center in the region and enhance the position of Afghanistan at the regional and international levels.”
“A great opportunity”
The Afghan economist, Shams Rahman Ahmedi, told Al -Jazeera Net that the project represents a great opportunity for Afghanistan to enhance its economic position in the region; It is not limited to facilitating the movement of trade, but rather contributes to developing the infrastructure of Afghanistan for transportation, and thus increases the ability to attract foreign investments.
He adds that by facilitating the transportation process, investors will have faster and cheaper ways to reach regional and global markets, expecting the iron line to reduce costs, and thus accelerate economic growth, and it provides new trade opportunities in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The benefits of desired
- Promote regional and international trade movementThe project is an essential part of the transport network that contributes to facilitating the movement of trade between Afghanistan and neighboring countries, such as Iran, Turkey, the Emirates, and India, and accelerates the transportation of goods and reduces transportation costs, which enhances the ability of Afghanistan to export its products such as fruits, vegetables and other industrial products to global markets.
- Reducing the cost of transportationTransport via railways is more efficient in cost and time compared to land transport; Through the “Herat -Khoye” railway, large quantities of goods can be transported at a low cost compared to wild trucks, which enhances the competitiveness of Afghan products in global markets, and this savings may lead to lowering the prices of local products, which enhances the purchasing power of citizens.
- Foreign investment stimulationImproving the transportation infrastructure contributes to increasing the attractiveness of Afghanistan to foreign investors, and the project is an example of regional cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran, and it can be a gateway to attract more investments in sectors such as trade, industry, and agriculture, and the presence of an advanced transport network increases Afghanistan opportunities in attracting international companies that are looking for faster and cheapest ways to distribute their products in the region.
- Enhancing economic exchange between the countries of the regionThe project contributes to enhancing economic integration between Afghanistan and neighboring countries, which enhances cooperation in the fields of trade and transport, by facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, and the project reinforces trade and economic relations between Iran and Afghanistan, with the possibility of expanding cooperation to include other countries such as Türkiye and Central Asian countries.
Possible challenges
Despite the expected benefits of the “Herat -Khoye” railway project, there are challenges that may face the implementation of the project completely, and among the most prominent of these challenges:
- Financing: Although contracts with international companies, especially from Russia, may provide the necessary financing, internal economic challenges, such as inflation and sanctions, may affect the ability to secure sustainable financing.
- Regional cooperationDespite the good cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran, the Afghan government may face challenges in strengthening cooperation with other countries in the region due to geopolitical tensions.
- Customs obstaclesThe movement of trade through the “Herat -Khoye” railway may witness some delay due to customs obstacles, and customs laws and procedures may affect the speed of transportation of goods, as customs complications may lead to increased costs and slowdown in export and import operations, which affects the expected efficiency of the project.
Social dimensions
The “Herat -Khoya” railway project can have a positive social impact on Afghan society; By providing job opportunities in the fields of construction and maintenance, the project will improve the standard of living of the local population in the areas where the iron line is going through.
In addition, the project may contribute to improving social conditions by providing new economic opportunities, reducing unemployment, and enhancing the standard of living.
