As part of the Afghanistan National Railway Plan, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan wishes to expedite the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif to Herat railway line (the MHR), which would connect with the existing Mazar-i-Shari to Hairatan railway line, and the Herat to Senghan line being constructed in phases, to form a continuous transit route between Central Asia and the Middle East/South Asia through Afghanistan.