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KABUL, Afghanistan – Construction of the railway line between Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, and Termez, Uzbekistan, was officially launched in the Afghan border town of Hairatan, Tuesday.
The idea of building a railway connection from Termez to the capital of Balkh province was born when the Soviet army withdrew from Afghanistan 30 years ago. A single bridge over a border river is currently the only passage between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
The $165 million project is co-financed by Japan and the United States and is one of the biggest construction projects in Afghan history.
The Governor of Balkh Province, Atta Mohammed Noor, the president of the Asian Development Bank, Haruhiko Kuroda, the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, the Ambassador of Japan, Shogeryuko Hiroki, the Uzbek Ambassador to Afghanistan, Parwiz Aliez, the British Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir William Patey, ISAF Commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and the Commander of Regional Command North, Brig. Gen. Frank Leidenberger, attended the launching ceremony.
"This railway line is an important step towards growth and independence," said Kuroda, emphasizing that the railway line will provide much needed economic progress for the country.
"I hope that on my next visit I can take the train and will not have to take a helicopter again," said the U.S. ambassador.
The 75-kilometer line will run mainly through uninhabited areas, with three railway stations and several other stops along the way. Millions of tons of goods are expected to be transported benefiting up to five million people.
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2010 05:45 |
| Story ID: | 50415 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 479 |
| Downloads: | 367 |
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