A new railway from Kazakhstan to China will help increase cargo turnover by 20 million tons

During the construction of the new line, it is planned to open a third border crossing with China, Bakhty - Chuguchak. In general, the Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line will increase the throughput capacity between Kazakhstan and China from 28 to about 48 million tons, relieve congestion at southern checkpoints and attract additional transit volumes. It is planned that the double-track railway will be put into operation in 2027, the press service reports.

The large-scale project will be implemented with the participation of a private investor on PPP principles. During the construction process, 11 stations, 47 bridges, 23 railway and 8 road overpasses, 5 pedestrian bridges, and 16 observation structures will be built. For this purpose, it is planned to purchase over 500 thousand units from domestic manufacturers. sleepers and 36 tons of rails. Local content will be at least 85%.

The Prime Minister noted that last year, the maximum volume of cargo in 30 years of independence was transported on the railways of Kazakhstan, which amounted to 245 billion tons/kilometer. High rates continue this year, despite the geopolitical situation and infrastructure restrictions.

“Over the past five years, the volume of transit container traffic has increased 3.2 times. Existing transit corridors are being expanded and new ones are opening. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, North-South and Southern Corridors have become particularly relevant,” said Alikhan Smailov.

At the same time, today the throughput and infrastructure capacities have reached their peak. To resolve this strategic issue, it was decided to implement a number of infrastructure projects in the railway industry.

Thus, in November last year, construction of the second tracks began on the Dostyk-Moyynty section. This year, work began on a new railway bypassing Almaty and the Darbaza – Maktaaral railway line. In total, over 1,300 km of railways will be built in the republic within three years.

“The implementation of the Bakhty-Ayagoz project will also accelerate the integration of Kazakhstan’s railway network into the global transport system,” emphasized Alikhan Smailov.

As Kanat Almagambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of NC KTZ JSC, noted, the new line will increase the volume of Kazakh exports, as well as the transit of goods from Russia to China and back.

“Goods coming from the Abay region, Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan regions and others will pass through this line. The construction of a double-track line is a guarantee that it will immediately have sufficient capacity. In general, this will be an additional influx of transit cargo and an impetus for the development of our nearby territories,” he said.


Photo: press service of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan