Innovative Project Management and Coordination Speed Up Afghanistan Railway Project

Building a railway system with a length of 75 kilometers within 11 months in a war-torn country would seem impossible to many. For those behind the Hairatan to Mazar-e-Sharif Railway Project in Afghanistan, detailed planning and efficient coordination can make this impossible feat possible. This publication highlights how they did it. 

Afghanistan deeply suffered from the effects of the Afghan Civil War, which started in 2001. Its transport infrastructure could not cope with the expanding volume of trade and humanitarian relief. To many, a new railway would make transportation of goods more reliable, efficient, and affordable. It would also open access to world markets.

However, years of conflict meant that the country had no references to guide such a massive infrastructure project. Thus, the project team buckled down and planned the whole undertaking comprehensively and used unconventional and creative approaches to make the railway a concrete reality. Some of the methods the team used included building on the progress made by local officials on a planned railway project, tapping a competent railway company, and using a consolidated design and build cycle to save time.

This material details how these strategies were used to build a much-needed railway system in Afghanistan in a fast manner. It shows how projects can deliver its promised benefits in a shorter amount of time using innovative approaches.