The planning of a new railway line, linking Nakhchivan AR (independent republic, exclave of Azerbaijan) and the city of Kars, is currently carried out. The implementation of this project could be initiated after the finalization of works to Baku – Tbilisi – Kars line in 2014.
The construction of this new railway line from the frontier between Azerbaijan and Turkey to the city of Kars (Turkey) could be launched after the finalization of works to Baku – Tbilisi – Kars (BTK) line, announced for the local media Nadir Azmammadov, Head of Communication for Azerbaijan Railways.
According to the Deputy Director of Azerbaijan Railways, Gurban Nazirov, the total cost of the new project linking the two countries could amount to USD 1 Billion. Currently, there is no railway line in the region and current plans talk about the construction of a 240km section.
Planning for the new route between the two countries is already under development and funds necessary for the development of the railway infrastructure in Turkey are expected to be ensured by the extension of the credit line granted by Azerbaijan Oil Fund.
Having a special importance for international passenger and freight transport and for the economies of the three countries involved, Baku – Tbilisi – Kars project is underway despite various delays caused by conflicts and environmental difficulties. The line is estimated to be commissioned in 2014. It is also expected to carry 3 million passengers and up to 17 million tonnes of freight in the first year of operation, while generating revenues of USD 50 Million per year. Moreover, Baku – Tbilisi – Kars will consolidate the relationship between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia and will form part of the direct railway route between Europe and Asia, a route which facilitates the implementation of the Iron Silk Road.
Also, Azerbaijan wants to make sure works on the line section in Georgia, part of BTK, will be finalized. The representatives of Azerbaijan Ministry of Transport will discuss with Georgian authorities on the acceleration of works on Marabda-Kartsakhi line section, part of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars corridor.
“The first train should run on the railways by the end of 2013 and the completion of construction works in Georgia is to be discussed”, declared Ziya Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport. Azerbaijan has allocated a loan worth USD 775 Million for this project carried out in Georgia.
The development of the whole corridor consists in the construction of a 105km line and in the reconstruction of Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Marabda line (Georgia).
Aside from the development of the national and cross-border rail connections, Azerbaijan also considers the development of high-speed transport.
Therefore, according to the preliminary project of the Regional Development Plan for Baku Metropolitan Area, Absheron Peninsula could have a high-speed railway by 2030, writes investing.businessweek.com quoting Trend agency. The railway line could be 90km long.
Also, according to the same Regional Development Programme, still in its project phase, the line will start from Balacari station to Rasulzade and 8 km crossing Sabunchu, Surakhani, Bina, Mardakan, Mashtaga, Zabrat, Novkhani and Pirshagi.
The Regional Development Programme will include the districts of the city of Baku, as well as Sumgait and Absheron, including Khirdalan on a total surface of over 280.000 hectares.
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