President Mirziyoyev Inspects New Train Wagons and Electrified Urgench-Khiva Railway
Urgench, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conducted an inspection of the newly electrified Urgench-Khiva railway and domestically produced train wagons, highlighting major advancements in Uzbekistan’s railway infrastructure.
The Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva line has now been fully electrified, with 960 kilometers of protective barriers installed and supporting infrastructure, including artificial structures, completed. Six high-speed electric trains from South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem have been acquired and will be launched next year on the Tashkent-Khiva route under the name “Jaloliddin Manguberdi.”
These developments are set to dramatically improve passenger experience—cutting the Tashkent to Khiva travel time from 14 hours to 7 hours and 40 minutes—and are expected to serve over 3 million passengers annually. Freight train capacity will also increase significantly, from 1 million to nearly 6 million tons per year.
As part of a major railway reform initiative announced on October 10, 2023, $50 million from the Reconstruction and Development Fund has been allocated to boost domestic passenger car production. Ten new passenger cars were completed in the first quarter of 2025, and the president personally reviewed their amenities.
Freight car capacity has also been upgraded, with older models replaced by modern wagons capable of carrying up to 70 tons, enabling the transport of over one million people annually.
President Mirziyoyev traveled aboard the new electric train from Urgench to Khiva, observing landscaping and greenery projects along the route. Nearly 10 million trees and shrubs were planted last year in support of the national “Green Space” initiative, with industrial companies contributing to the creation of green belts.
Additionally, over 1,100 hectares around regional canals have been planted with profitable crops this spring, with guaranteed purchase schemes linked to local entrepreneurs. Public updates on these efforts are available through the “Agroko’makchi” mobile app.
