Xinhua News Agency, Bishkek, December 27th (Reporter Zheng Yu) – It was learned from China Railway Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China Railway Group) that the launch ceremony of the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan railway project was held in Jalalabad, Kyrgyzstan at 12:00 local time on the 27th (14:00 Beijing time on the 27th), marking significant progress in the preliminary work of the project and laying a solid foundation for the early commencement of construction.
The relevant person in charge of the State Railway Group said that the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway is a landmark project of cooperation in the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” personally promoted by the three heads of state of China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and a strategic project of connectivity between China and Central Asia. The project starts from Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, enters Kyrgyzstan through the Turgat Pass, then heads west through the border city of Jalalabad in Kyrgyzstan, and finally ends in the eastern city of Andijan in Uzbekistan. The three parties agreed that the Chinese side will be responsible for the construction of the section within China, the Ukrainian side will be responsible for the upgrading and renovation of the section within Uzbekistan, and the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway Co., Ltd., a joint venture authorized by the governments of the three countries, will be responsible for the financing, construction, and operation of the section within Kyrgyzstan.
The person in charge introduced that since the signing of the agreement between the governments of China, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine, the government departments and enterprises of the three countries have actively promoted the preliminary work of the project and achieved a series of phased results. According to the approved feasibility study report, the Kyrgyzstan section is a single track railway using diesel locomotives for traction (with electrification conditions reserved), designed for a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, and equipped with 20 stations including Turgat Port Station, Markmar Interchange Station, and Jalalabad Port Station. According to the current progress of various work, the project is scheduled to officially start construction in July 2025, with a construction period of 6 years.
The person in charge stated that in the next step, China Railway Group will conscientiously implement the important consensus reached by the three heads of state, fully leverage the main role of China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway Co., Ltd. in project implementation, accelerate the work of construction drawing design, environmental impact assessment, land acquisition and demolition, and promote the project to start construction as planned. After the completion of the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway, it will become a strategic channel to benefit the three countries and their people, and help regional economic and social development. It is of great significance to promote infrastructure connectivity and economic and trade exchanges of countries along the line, and promote the high-quality development of the the Belt and Road.