HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials in western Herat province say imports through the Herat–Khaf railway have recorded a nearly fivefold increase compared to last year.

Mufti Yousaf Saeedi, spokesman for the Herat governor, said up to 2,000 tonnes of commercial goods- particularly cement and tiles- were transported daily from Khaf to the Roznak station in Herat, marking a fivefold rise compared to the previous year.

He said the Khaf–Herat railway currently plays a vital and effective role in the transportation of goods.

Saeedi noted that cargo unloading continues daily at the Roznak station, with most imported goods consisting of cement, tiles, iron, petroleum products and other construction materials.

Meanwhile, Director of Commerce and Industry Maulvi Bashir Mohammad Sirat said using the railway was the best option for facilitating imports and exports.

He explained that land border crossings often faced challenges such as a shortage of transport vehicles, high costs and lengthy administrative procedures, while the railway route helped reduce many of these problems.

Last week, a diesel shipment was imported to the Roznak station via this railway for the first time, and a second consignment of fuel is expected to arrive this week.

According to the Herat Railway Authority, around 50,000 tonnes of commercial goods are currently imported monthly through the Khaf–Herat railway.

Last year, part of Afghanistan's mineral and fresh fruit exports were also sent to international markets via the same route.

The Herat–Khaf railway line is 226 kilometres long, with 149 kilometres of the track located in Afghanistan and 77 kilometres in Iran.

Construction work on the second phase of the railway, costing 54.7 million US dollars, was launched last year.

Officials said that upon completion of this phase, the railway project would become fully operational.

kk/ma

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