ECONOMY — April 30, 2026

Ministry of Public Works Reports Over 873,000 Metric Tons of Cargo Moved via Rail Last Month

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works reported that nearly 874,000 metric tons of cargo, including over 9,200 tons of exports, were transported via four railway border crossings last month. Officials stated that ongoing infrastructure improvements aim to boost trade volumes and strengthen economic stability.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with RTA — corroborated by Hurriyat2 min read

Ministry of Public Works Reports Over 873,000 Metric Tons of Cargo Moved via Rail Last Month
Image courtesy RTA

The Ministry of Public Works has reported that approximately 873,981 metric tons of cargo were transported across Afghanistan’s railway border crossings last month. The freight moved through four primary transit points: Hairatan, Aqina, Torghundi, and Khaf-Herat, serving as key gateways for regional commerce.

According to ministry officials, commercial exports accounted for 9,275 metric tons of the total volume. The exported goods primarily consisted of dried fruits and pomegranate juice, with additional reports noting the transit of mineral stones. The ministry stated that these figures reflect ongoing efforts to utilize rail infrastructure for commercial transit and to streamline cross-border logistics.

Spokesperson Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas emphasized that expanding rail freight capacity remains a central priority for national economic planning. Officials noted that targeted improvements to railway facilities and border operations are designed to generate employment, increase state revenue, and promote long-term economic stability. The ministry indicated that it continues to coordinate with transit authorities to upgrade infrastructure and reduce processing times for commercial shipments.

The reported cargo volumes underscore the increasing role of rail networks in Afghanistan’s trade ecosystem. By focusing on operational efficiency at major crossings, authorities aim to facilitate smoother export channels and strengthen regional supply chain integration. The ministry plans to continue monitoring freight metrics as part of its broader strategy to enhance trade capacity and support domestic industries.

Read the original reporting at RTA

Reliability assessment

Two independent outlets corroborate the exact same core statistics (873,981 tons total cargo, 9,275 tons exports) with direct attribution to the Ministry of Public Works. RTA provides on-record attribution to spokesperson Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas and a verifiable breakdown by crossing. Minor discrepancies in the named month and export composition do not affect the corroboration of the core event.

The source language reads straight.

Across the newsrooms

Where reports agree

  • Total cargo volume of 873,981 metric tons for the past month
  • Export volume of 9,275 metric tons
  • Use of Hairatan, Aqina, Torghundi, and Khaf-Herat railway crossings
  • Primary export goods include dried fruits and pomegranate juice
  • Attribution to the Ministry of Public Works
  • Ministry's stated goal to improve infrastructure and boost trade and economic stability

Where reports differ

  • RTA includes 'mineral stones' in the list of primary exports, while Hurriyat does not
  • Hurriyat names the reporting month as 'Wray', while RTA names it as 'Hamal' (likely a calendar or translation discrepancy)
  • RTA provides a specific tonnage breakdown per border crossing, whereas Hurriyat only reports the aggregate total

Filed by 2 outlets

Filed under

EconomyMinistry of Public Works, Railway Cargo, Cross-Border Trade, Hairatan, Exports

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