Aqina

Summary

Aqina (Dari: اقينه; Pashto: اقينه), also known as Aqina Port, is a border checkpoint and border crossing in the northern Faryab Province of Afghanistan.[1] It has a train station by the same name, which serves as the second rail service between Afghanistan and neighboring Turkmenistan.[2] Aqina is located in the northern part of Khani Chahar Bagh District, directly adjacent to the border with Turkmenistan.[3]

Aqina
اقينه
Aqina is located in Afghanistan
Aqina
Aqina
Location within Afghanistan
Coordinates: 37°13′43″N 65°15′47″E / 37.22861°N 65.26306°E / 37.22861; 65.26306
Country Afghanistan
ProvinceFaryab Province
DistrictKhani Chahar Bagh
Languages
 • Dari 
 • Pashto 
 • Turkmen 
Time zoneUTC+4:30

Security in and around Aqina is provided by the Afghan National Security Forces, which includes the Afghan Border Force. Every visitor or traveler between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan must possess a valid travel visa.[4][5] The city of Andkhoy is less than 35 kilometres (22 mi) of driving distance to the southwest of Aqina.

Rail station and heliport edit

Aqina is the southern terminus of a railway line via Imamnazar to Kerki in Turkmenistan, which officially became operational in late 2016.[6][7] It became one of three railways in Afghanistan.

The rail extension from Aqina to Andkhoy was completed in early 2021.[8][9][10] Unknown when it will actually happen, the rail line will eventually become part of a railway corridor through northern Afghanistan.[11]

There is a small dry port with basic facilities in Aqina,[12][13] which includes a heliport where about a dozen helicopters can be parked.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Aqina port revenue increases despite limited imports". Pajhwok Afghan News. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Rail freight transport to Aqina station (Afghanistan)". 13 June 2017.
  3. ^ UNOCHA. "Faryab Province District Atlas April 2014" (PDF). Humanitarian Response. UN OCHA Afghanistan. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Afghanistan tourist visa for Turkmen citizens". visalist. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Turkmenistan tourist visa for Afghan citizens". visalist. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  6. ^ Pannier, Bruce (28 November 2016). "New Turkmen Railway: First Stop, Aqina, Afghanistan. Next Stop...?". RFE/RL. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  7. ^ Salehai, Zarghona (28 November 2016). "Afghan-Turkmenistan railroad inaugurated". Pajhwok Afghan News. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Aqina-Andkhoi railway line inaugurated, 3 projects signed". Pajhwok Afghan News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Aqina-Andkhoi Railway Officially Opened". TOLOnews. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  10. ^ Hejaab, Aslam (31 October 2016). "Work Begins On Aqina-Andkhoy Railway". ariananews.af. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  11. ^ Grantham, Andrew (31 October 2016). "TAT Railway". Railways of Afghanistan. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Aqina port revenue shoots up". Pajhwok Afghan News. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Aqina port revenue up 57%". Wadsam Afghan Business News. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2017.

External links edit

  • "Aqina" (3D visual). Google Earth.
  • Search results for Aqina @ Pajhwok Afghan News.
  • Information on Aqina rail station with photos