Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov announced the start of construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad.
“The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad construction project, which for decades remained only on paper, is finally being realized. On December 27, official construction work will begin,” Zhaparov said at the third People’s Kurultai.
According to him, the railroad will become a strategic bridge between East and West, opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and industry.
In addition, the opening of the Bedel checkpoint on the border with China will strengthen the transit potential of the republic, accelerate the flow of cargo and passengers, create new business opportunities and strengthen trade ties with key partners, the Kyrgyz leader said.
Kyrgyzstan June 27 ratified an agreement with China and Uzbekistan on the railroad project. Under the trilateral agreement, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad will run along the route Kashgar (PRC) – Torugart (on the border of Kyrgyzstan and PRC) – Makmal (Kyrgyzstan) – Jalalabad (Kyrgyzstan) – Andijan (Uzbekistan).
According to experts’ estimates, the annual volume of freight traffic along this highway may reach up to 15 million tons, and the time of delivery of goods to final consumers will be reduced by seven days compared to the existing routes. Transit and logistics infrastructure, warehouses and terminals will be created.
The construction of the railroad is tentatively estimated at about $8 bln.
