Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Unveil Plan to Double Cross-Border Train Freight

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed on a joint plan to boost railway freight traffic between the two countries. Transport ministers from both nations met online to discuss infrastructure upgrades and increased transit capacity. The move aims to strengthen trade links and regional transport networks.

Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev and his Uzbek counterpart Ilkhom Makhkamov held talks focusing on railway cooperation. They highlighted the need to improve transit potential and raise cargo volumes to 55 million tons. Both sides stressed the importance of railway connections for trade, transit, and regional integration.

The ministers approved a joint action plan to support steady growth in freight traffic. Key projects include developing infrastructure at Saryagash, Oasis, and Syrdarya railway junctions. The completion of the Darbaza-Maktaral section was also prioritised.

Currently, up to 36 pairs of trains pass daily through Saryagash, with plans to increase this to 40. At Oasis, two pairs operate now, but capacity is expected to rise to 10 pairs. The Darbaza-Maktaral section's opening will allow up to 10 pairs of trains at Syrdarya, adding 14 more daily services.

The meeting also covered coordinating maintenance work, improving control procedures, and enhancing transport operations. These steps aim to meet the agreed throughput capacity and ensure smoother cross-border rail traffic.

Freight volume between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached 32.3 million tons in 2025, a 16% rise from the previous year. The new action plan and infrastructure upgrades are set to further increase this figure. Both countries will continue working together to expand railway capacity and efficiency.