Project Profile: The Khaf-Herat Railway

The Khaf-Herat Railway is a 225-kilometer standard-gauge line engineered to establish a strategic trade corridor connecting eastern Iran with western Afghanistan. This transnational infrastructure project is designed to handle significant freight and passenger volumes, integrating Afghanistan’s landlocked economy into wider regional and international rail networks via Iranian ports.

Technical Specifications

The Khaf-Herat Railway is engineered to modern freight standards, featuring a standard gauge of 1,435 mm for seamless integration with Iran’s national network and international corridors. The line is designed with a high axle load capacity of 25 tonnes, accommodating heavy freight trains and maximizing cargo efficiency. The infrastructure utilizes conventional ballasted track, a cost-effective and proven solution for the region’s challenging arid terrain. The phased construction required advanced civil engineering solutions to navigate geographical obstacles while ensuring the line could support design speeds of 120 km/h for freight and up to 160 km/h for future passenger services.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Economic Corridor: The railway provides landlocked Afghanistan with direct, reliable access to international maritime trade routes via Iran’s southern ports, bypassing traditional, more complex transit routes.
• Regional Integration Catalyst: As a key segment of the Five Nations Railway Corridor (China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran), this project is pivotal for enhancing east-west connectivity and fostering economic interdependence across Central and South Asia.
• Engineering in a Complex Environment: The project’s phased completion demonstrates a successful model for executing large-scale transnational infrastructure in a region marked by geographical and geopolitical challenges, reliant on international collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Khaf-Herat Railway be fully operational?

The Khaf-Herat Railway is being completed in phases. The sections connecting Khaf, Iran, to Rozanak, Afghanistan, are operational, facilitating initial freight traffic. The final phase, which extends the line to the industrial park in Herat, is under construction, with full project completion anticipated to significantly boost regional trade capacity.

Who is building the Khaf-Herat Railway?

The construction is a multi-national effort. The initial three sections were primarily developed by Iranian companies, including Abad Rahan Pars. The final section within Afghanistan has been managed by Integra Construction, a company based in Kazakhstan, highlighting the international partnership required to complete this strategic link.