The construction of the second segment of the fourth phase of the  Herat-Khaf railway began yesterday (Monday, May 27) in Herat.

This railway is planned to span 47 kilometers and is expected to be operational in less than two years.

Officials from the Afghanistan Railway Authority stated that upon completion, the Herat-Khaf railway will connect Afghanistan to global markets.

Bakht Rahman Sharafat, head of the Railway Authority, said: "According to the contract with the company, this project will be operational within 18 to 24 months. This railway will connect Herat’s industrial city and airport to Europe via Iran."

The construction of the fourth phase of the Herat-Khaf railway is being jointly carried out by Afghan, Russian, and Turkish companies.

A large, standard station is also planned to be built at the end of this railway near Herat’s industrial city.

Zia-ur-Rahman Farahi, the representative of the contracting company, said: "In addition to the railway construction, a standard terminal worth $5 million will be built. Green spaces will also be created along the entire railway route."

According to officials, all the equipment for this railway will be imported from Kazakhstan.

"Afghanistan is the heart of Asia, and Herat is the artery of this heart. Herat can connect Afghanistan to regional and global countries," said Hamidullah Khadem, head of the Chamber of Industries and Mines in Herat.

Hayatullah Mahajer Farahi, acting Deputy Governor of Herat, said: "This railway can be beneficial for exports, imports, and the transport of goods for traders and investors."

The Herat-Khaf railway consists of four sections, with two sections operational in Iran and one in Afghanistan.

The fourth section, over 90 kilometers long, is divided into two smaller segments, with more than 60 percent of the construction of the first segment already completed.