The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway line is under construction, a project that aims to strengthen Central Asia's trade links and shorten the transport of goods to European markets. The Kyrgyz news agency Kabar announced on September 7 the completion of the excavation of tunnel Kosh Dobo North No. 2, with a length of 209.6 metres, representing an advance in construction, although the infrastructure is not yet operational.
The planned route connects Kashgar, in western China, to Andijan, in Uzbekistan, crossing Kyrgyzstan through Torugart, Makmal and Jalal-Abad. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transport, the total length will exceed 530 kilometres, of which approximately 304 kilometres are on Kyrgyz territory, connecting with the existing railway networks in the three countries involved.
The possibility of continuing westwards to Europe appears in an assessment by the Asian Development Bank, which identifies a route through Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey, allowing transport without crossing Russian territory. The Presidency of Uzbekistan projected up to 15 million tonnes of goods per year and a reduction of seven days in delivery time to European markets.
Currently, work is underway on 27 tunnels, 43 bridges and 88 railway platform sections, as well as the construction of 20 stations. The project plans a total of 29 tunnels with 104.83 kilometres in length, including structures such as the Naryn No. 1, Kosh Dobo and Fergana tunnels, each over 12 kilometres.
