Ashgabat—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to significantly upgrade Turkmenistan’s railway infrastructure through the Trans-Turkmenistan Railway Modernization Project, which encompasses a comprehensive facelift and electrification of a 1,147-km railway stretch from Turkmenabat to Mary, Ashgabat, and Turkmenbashi.
According to Trend News Agency, ADB’s Country Director for Turkmenistan, in an exclusive interview with Trend, this expansive initiative will modernize and electrify the key East-West railway line that links major urban and economic centers across the country, including the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi, the capital city Ashgabat, and the key junctions at Mary and Turkmenabat near the Uzbekistan border. Andrysiak highlighted the project’s strategic importance, noting its role in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 2, 3, and 6, which are vital for boosting Central Asian trade and facilitating transit routes stretching from China and Europe to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The project’s first phase, expected to conclude by 2025, aims to enhance a 171 km section between Ashgabat and Dushak. This will include double tracking sections to handle increased traffic demands and the construction of a concrete sleeper plant to support ongoing and future rail infrastructure projects. The second phase, slated for 2026/27, will focus on the Dushak-Mary section and include the electrification of the Ashgabat-Mary line, with the goal of reducing the rail network’s carbon footprint.
ADB is committed to supporting Turkmenistan’s efforts toward becoming a more sustainable and competitive economy under its Country Partnership Strategy for 2024-2028. This commitment includes numerous green and energy-efficient initiatives, such as enhancing the national power grid, integrating renewable energy sources, and upgrading gas-powered electricity plants. Andrysiak detailed additional support measures aimed at boosting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through financial and technical support and enhancing healthcare education with the establishment of a state-of-the-art nursing college in Ashgabat.
The electrification and modernization of Turkmenistan’s railway are expected to significantly enhance the efficiency, reliability, and safety of rail transport, serving both domestic needs and international logistics demands. This project not only aims to improve regional connectivity but also aligns with global environmental goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transport solutions.