President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the opening ceremony of the new railway line Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan on 24 August, UzA reported.

The launch of the 223-km railway line will serve to socioeconomic development of the southern Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions and the country’s transport communications in general.

The line, crossing Hissar mountain range at 1,800 meters above sea level, has allowed reducing the distance for passenger and cargo transportations by 170 km.

The uniqueness of the line is also in the fact that it is important for the development of the whole region and the revival of the ancient Great Silk Road. The railway should lead to reduction of the cost and increase of the volume of cargo transportations between Uzbekistan and the Eurasian states via Afghanistan.

The volume of excavation works during the 33-months-long and USD 447-million project made up 52.5 million cubic meters, half of which was rock drilling and detonation.

Together with the railway line, related infrastructure and communications were created, including modern railway stations, locomotive depots, technical service stations and electricity networks.

Six world-standard railway stations were built along the line – Tashguzar, Dekhkanabad, Baysun, Kumkurgan, Okrabot and Darband.

President of Uzbekistan arrived at Dekhkanabad station on the first train and familiarized with the building and its facilities.

At the meeting with builders and residents of the adjacent villages, the head of the state spoke about the strategic importance of the new line, in particular, its role in increasing export and transit potential of Uzbekistan.

The oasis the railway line crosses is rich in natural resources like oil, gas, common salt, potassic salt, coal, haydite, detritus, limestone, gypsum, complex ore and others. Currently, construction of the potassic fertilizers plant is underway near the Dekhkanabad station.

According to Uzbekistan Railways company, a total of 609 objects were built along the Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan line, including 564 culvert constructions and 43 bridges. On the Bekhkanabad-Baysun part alone, 31 bridges were raised.

Islam Karimov familiarized with the bridge over Konsoy near Qoradahna village (Dekhkanabad district), which is 45 meters high and 234 meters long.


Tens of modern cottages were built for people working on the new railway line. A school for 216 students was constructed at Darband station, and a sports complex at Dekhkanabad station.

President of Uzbekistan also visited Okrabot station, located at the highest point of the railway line.

The solemn opening ceremony of the railway line was held at Darband station (pictured above). The head of the state congratulated and thanked those who participated in the construction works, including foreign partners.

One day earlier, on 23 August, President Islam Karimov signed a decree awarding the participants of construction of the Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan railway line.

Almost 50 people received titles "Honorary builder of Uzbekistan" and "Honorary transport worker of Uzbekistan", orders "Fidokorona khizmatlari uchun", "Mehnat shuhrati" and "Dostlik", and medals "Shuhrat". One person was awarded the title of the "Hero of Uzbekistan".

The total length of the railway lines of Uzbekistan comprises over 4,000 km. Some 70% of all cargo transportations and 80% of export-import cargo transportations in the country are made through railways.