A first test train has been launched on one of the Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi section as part of Baku – Tbilisi – Kars (BTK) railway. Construction works of 180km branch of railway have been completed and everything will be done to finish the works of Baku – Tbilisi – Karsi till the end of the year.
“Today, we are with out Azerbaijan colleagues at the Turkish border. The railway has already been brought to the border station (Turkish border). The main works of railway construction have been accomplished. Communications needs to be established and the tunnel construction works should be finished. I think, Baku – Tbilisi – Karsi is century’s project and everything will be done to be finished till the end of the year. We are working even in winter conditions. This is the project that will deepen friendly relations between Azerbaijani, Georgia and Turkey”, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili said.
“The road will be ready for exploitation by the end of the year. I am sure that our colleagues together with Georgian partners will continue active working even in winter”, Ziya Mammadov, the Minister of Transportation of Azerbaijan said.
Baku – Tbilisi – Karsi railway is named as the most important project in the region. During the last two years, the issues regarding the test train launching on Georgian territory by the end of 2014, were actively discussed at the meetings held between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The new railway will have a capacity to transport million passengers per year and on the first stage its potential will reach 5mln tones transportation. The bulk is constantly increasing and 15mln tones of cargo is planned to be carried for the next stage.
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