Construction of Darbaza-Maktaaral railroad line launched in Turkistan region
The construction of Darbaza-Maktaaral new railroad line with the length of 152 kilometers has begun in Turkistan region. Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov participated in the project launch ceremony via a videoconference, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to primeminister.kz, the project is implemented as per the presidential instruction and is aimed at further development of the country’s transport and transit potential, with a new checkpoint to be opened through the Kazakh-Uzbek state border.
The volume of cargo transportations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has reached 25.8 million tons since early 2023.
The construction of the new railroad line will let decrease the load on Saryagash station and raise export transportations towards Uzbekistan.
According to the prime minister, this is a milestone event in Kazakhstan.
Last year, the volume of cargo transported hit record 245 billion ton-km within 30 years of independent Kazakhstan, he said.
In his words, the volume of cargo transportations with Uzbekistan is predicted to reach 31 million tons, which is 16 % higher compared to 2022.
To expand the capacity of this section and to raise export and transit potential of our country, we launch a large railroad project – new line Darbaza-Maktaaral, said Alikhan Smailov.
The project is divided into two stages. The first stage provides for construction of Yerdaut-Maktaaral – state border of Uzbekistan line with an access to Syrdarya station. The second stage aims at construction of Zhetysai-state border of Uzbekistan line with an access to the same station.
152 kilometers of railroad will be built in total.
The project will let employ as many as 3,400 people, with local content to make 85%.
The prime minister congratulated the ceremony attendees on the beginning of the work and stressed the importance of ensuring quality implementation of the project.
