A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a major tunnel along the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan international railway took place in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region, Akchabar.kg reports.
The event was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Torobaev. The project was launched at the initiative of President Sadyr Japarov. According to Torobaev, the new railway will serve as a strategic "bridge" between East and West. He emphasized that its implementation will create thousands of jobs and boost trade, logistics, and industrial development.
At the ceremony, representatives from China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan expressed confidence in the project's success, calling the railway a symbol of unity and progress.
The tunnel currently under construction will span 12 kilometers, connecting the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad with the Toguz-Toro district in Naryn region. Two additional major tunnels are also planned in these areas.
In total, more than 300 kilometers of railway will be built across Kyrgyzstan. The overall cost of the project is estimated at $4.7 billion, and over 20,000 people are expected to be involved in its construction.
The engineering challenges are significant: the project includes 46 bridges totaling 120 kilometers and 27 tunnels, meaning approximately 40% of the route will consist of complex infrastructure.
The railway project was officially launched on December 27, 2024, during a virtual ceremony attended by the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, China, and Uzbekistan. They highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative for all participating countries and the region as a whole.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 29, 2025