China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway
Rail line in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
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The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway (CKU railway), also known as the Kashgar–Andijan railway line, is an international railway project currently under construction, aimed at connecting Kashgar in western China with Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan. The railway is a strategic infrastructure component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), designed to reduce overland shipping times between China and Europe and enhance regional connectivity in Central Asia.
| China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Native name | 中吉乌铁路 / Кытай–Кыргызстан–Өзбекстан темир жолу / Хитой–Қирғизистон–Ўзбекистон темир йўли |
| Status | Under construction |
| Owner | Governments of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan |
| Locale | China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | To be determined |
| Service | |
| Type | Freight and passenger |
| System | Belt and Road Initiative |
| Operator(s) | TBD |
| History | |
| Opened | Expected 2029[1] |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 532[2] km (331 mi) |
| Number of tracks | 1 (initial) |
| Track gauge | Standard gauge (China), Russian gauge (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) |
| Electrification | Planned |
Background
Plans for the railway date back to the early 1990s, shortly after the independence of Central Asian states from the Soviet Union. However, the project was repeatedly delayed due to financing difficulties, disagreements over technical standards, and geopolitical considerations.[3]
In September 2022, the three countries signed a memorandum of understanding to proceed with a feasibility study.[4] The final agreement to begin construction was signed in June 2024 during a trilateral summit in Beijing.[1][2]
Route
The route will span 532 kilometers, with 158 kilometers in China, 305 km in Kyrgyzstan and 69 km in Uzbekistan.[5] The route follows this corridor:
- Kashgar (China)
- Torugart Pass (border crossing into Kyrgyzstan) – Makmal (change of gauge)
- Jergetal – Kochkor – Kazarman - Manas – Uzgen (Kyrgyzstan)
- Andijan (Uzbekistan)
The line will connect to existing rail networks in China and Uzbekistan, allowing onward transit to Europe, Iran, and Turkey via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.[6]
Construction
Construction officially began in 2025 and will take four years to complete. The railway will initially be a single-track, non-electrified line, with electrification and dual-gauge conversion planned in a second phase. The standard gauge used in China (1,435 mm) differs from the Russian gauge (1,520 mm) used in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, necessitating a break-of-gauge facility at Makmal, Kyrgyzstan.[5][7]
In 2024, the cost of the project was reported to be US$4.7 billion.[5] Funding will be provided through a combination of Chinese concessional loans, multilateral development financing, and domestic contributions from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.[8]
Economic significance
The CKU railway is expected to:
- Reduce transit time between China and Europe by 7–10 days compared to the northern route via Russia;
- Provide Kyrgyzstan with a direct railway link to China for the first time in its history;
- Improve trade and logistics efficiency across Central Asia;
- Reduce reliance on sanctioned transit routes through Russia.
The World Bank and IMF have identified the project as a potential game-changer for Kyrgyzstan's export capacity and regional integration.[9]