The 2 km cross-border railway between Turkmenistan and the Torghundi freight terminal is once again operational, reports Turkmenistan.ru, after being “fully reconstructed by the Turkmen specialists in the shortest time” at cost of USD550,000.¹.

In early July Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree under which Turkmenistan would “overhaul” the railway at its own expense, “with the aim to further develop and strengthen good neighborly relations and to provide assistance to the Afghan people in restoration of the national economy”. The Ministry of Railway Transport told Turkmenistan.ru that the work included replacing “out-of date equipment and mechanisms”

Festivities to mark the reopening of the line were held in Turgundi and Serhetabat. The Afghan side was represented by Governor of Herat province Seyit Hoseyin Anvari, top management of the province’s Chamber of Commerce, staff from the Afghan embassy and representatives of the Turkmen diaspora living in the border regions of Afghanistan. The Turkmen delegation was led by Minister of Railway Transport Deryaguly Muhammetguliev.

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