Rustam Azimov recalled that specialists of Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways) constructed first railroad from Hairatan to Mazar-e-Sharif. He said that Uzbekistan plans to construct railway to west to Heart in next three-four years.

During the visit to Surkhandarya region on Friday, Uzbek President Islam Karimov stated that Uzbekistan Temir Yollari will serve the first railroad of Afghanistan.

He said that Uzbekistan achieved agreement on this issue with the Government of Afghanistan and ADB management. Islam Karimov said that the Uzbek specialists will carry out passenger and cargo transportation on Hairatan - Mazar-e-Sharif route.

As earlier reported, Uzbekistan Temir Yollari started to construct Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railroad on 22 January 2010. The Uzbek company completed construction in November 2010.

The Uzbek company constructed 75 km railroad and several stations, as well as reconstructed Hairatan station within the project.

The project was financed due to US$165 million grant of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and US$5 million of own funds of the Afghanistan Government.