Uzbekistan Railways suspends transportation to Afghanistan

TASHKENT. Feb 1 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan Railways has suspended transportation to Afghanistan from February 1, as Afghanistan failed to honor its technical work obligations, the company press service said on Wednesday.

"Considering that Afghanistan Railway Authority is unable to implement the agreed measures in time, please be advised that railroad transportation to Afghanistan will be suspended from February 1," the press service said.

Uzbek and Afghan representatives met in Termez, a city in south of Uzbekistan on the border with Afghanistan, on December 26-30 and agreed on a plan of phased technical work to be performed by Afghan railroad workers in Afghanistan by February 1, 2023.

In addition, Sogdiana Trans subsidiary of Uzbekistan Railways and Afghanistan Railway Authority approved at a meeting the relevant scope of work and the cost of services as a basis for signing a new contract before January 27, 2023.

"To support entrepreneurs and ensure continuous cargo transportation to Afghanistan, as well as to prevent delays in delivering essential goods to Afghanistan, Sogdiana Trans will give practical assistance in transporting cargo to Afghanistan by truck from Termez logistics centers and via the Termez river port," the press service said.

Information about the railroad's opening will be updated, it said.

Uzbekistan Railways built the 75-kilometer Hairaton - Mazar-i-Sharif railroad worth $129 million in 2010. Sogdiana Trans was established a year later to operate and service this line.