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 | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°13′43″N 65°15′47″E / 37.22861°N 65.26306°E | |
Country | Afghanistan |
Province | Faryab Province |
District | Khani Chahar Bagh |
Languages | |
• Dari | |
• Pashto | |
• Turkmen | |
Time zone | UTC+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
editAqina 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- Afghanistan–Turkmenistan relations
- Torghundi (second border crossing between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan)
- Hairatan (border crossing between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan)
- Sherkhan Bandar (border crossing between Afghanistan and Tajikistan)
References
edit- ^ "Aqina port revenue increases despite limited imports". Pajhwok Afghan News. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Rail freight transport to Aqina station (Afghanistan)". 13 June 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ UNOCHA. "Faryab Province District Atlas April 2014" (PDF). Humanitarian Response. UN OCHA Afghanistan. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Afghanistan tourist visa for Turkmen citizens". visalist. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Turkmenistan tourist visa for Afghan citizens". visalist. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Pannier, Bruce (28 November 2016). "New Turkmen Railway: First Stop, Aqina, Afghanistan. Next Stop...?". RFE/RL. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Salehai, Zarghona (28 November 2016). "Afghan-Turkmenistan railroad inaugurated". Pajhwok Afghan News. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- ^ "Aqina-Andkhoi railway line inaugurated, 3 projects signed". Pajhwok Afghan News. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Aqina-Andkhoi Railway Officially Opened". TOLOnews. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Hejaab, Aslam (31 October 2016). "Work Begins On Aqina-Andkhoy Railway". ariananews.af. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- ^ Grantham, Andrew (31 October 2016). "TAT Railway". Railways of Afghanistan. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "Aqina port revenue shoots up". Pajhwok Afghan News. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "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