KYRGYZ Railways (KTJ) has secured funding from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) for a technical and economic feasibility study to construct a 75km line from Balykchy to Cholpon-Ata. The new railway would serve Issyk-Kul International Airport at Tamchy and resorts along the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
The EDB estimates the cost of the project at around $US 500m. Funding for the feasibility study will come from the EDB’s Technical Assistance Fund, which will provide a grant of around $275,000.
Balykchy is currently at the end of the 1520mm-gauge line, which runs via the capital Bishkek to Lugovaya in Kazakhstan. A new line is being constructed from Balykchy southwest to Kara-Keche. In the long term, KTJ would like to build a 200km line along the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul to Bokonbayevo and Karakol.
"The new Balykchy - Cholpon-Ata railway is crucial for both developing Kyrgyzstan's domestic transport system and enhancing international logistics,” says EDB deputy chairman, Yaroslav Mandron. “The project will integrate the railway with Tamchy Airport and boost passenger and cargo traffic.”
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