Construction begins on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway tunnel

On April 29, construction officially began on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway tunnel in the Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan, according to the press service of the Kyrgyz government.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Bakyt Toroboev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. In his address, he emphasized that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is more than just a transport corridor—it is a strategic “bridge” linking East and West.

“This project is not just about infrastructure. It will open up new opportunities for trade, investment, and the development of industry and logistics. It will provide thousands of jobs and give a powerful boost to our economies. We are not just building a road—we are building the future,” Toroboev said.

The newly launched tunnel, stretching 12.5 kilometers, connects the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region with the Taguz-Toro district of Naryn region. As part of the broader project, two additional large tunnels of similar length are planned in Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions.

The ceremony was also attended by a delegation from Uzbekistan, including representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Uzbekistan Railways JSC.

Under the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, three major tunnels exceeding 10 kilometers in length will be constructed:

- Naryn (Jaman-Davan) Tunnel – 12.5 km  
- Kushtuba (Kazarman) Tunnel – 13.2 km  
- Fergana Mountain Tunnel – 12.2 km

The total cost of the railway project is estimated at 4.7 billion US dollars. More than 20,000 workers are expected to be involved in its construction. From an engineering perspective, this is one of the most complex infrastructure projects in the region. The route will feature 46 bridges and 27 tunnels, with tunnels and bridges accounting for 40 percent of its 120-kilometer total length.

It is worth recalling that the launch ceremony for the railway construction was held on December 27, 2024, with the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. The three leaders highlighted the strategic significance of the project for regional development and integration.