Turkmenistan: IDB to finance construction of North - South railway section

12.01.2010 (12:01)

The Bereket - Etrek segment of the International railway North - South will be built in the territory of Turkmenistan using a credit granted by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

It should be recalled that the Government of Turkmenistan and the IDB signed a relevant agreement to this effect in Ashgabat on 5 January.

The Bereket - Etrek segment will be 256.5 km. long. There will be allocated US $ 371,200 million for the implementation of this project, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan said with reference to the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan.

There are also plans to build seven plants, two crossing points, as well as access and support ways with the total length of 69 km along the railroad. In addition, the project provides for construction of a locomotive transfer depot center for maintenance of wagons, as well as depot to replace the bogie wagons in the border zone.

The opening of the new railway line Uzen - Gyzylgaya - Bereket - Etrek - Gorgan will create additional routes linking Kazakhstan and the central regions of Russia with Turkmenistan, Iran, Gulf countries, South and Southeast Asia.

The implementation of the project will increase the transit cargo and passenger traffic through the territory of Turkmenistan, reduce the cost of transport within the country, save travel time and generate economic growth in regions through which the road will cut across by increased transport movement and accessibility to rural areas.

It is also reported that the credit agreement to finance the design and construction of the Bereket - Etrek segment is the largest project financed by the IDB.

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