Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 11 / Trend E.Ismayilov /
The Azerbaijani Transport Ministry will intensify the work towards the reconstruction and modernization of the country's railway infrastructure by late 2010-early, Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov said today.
He said the work will be funded through loans from foreign financial institutions, including the World Bank, which provided $ 450 million, and the Czech Export Bank, which granted 215 million euros.
The work will be carried out in the framework of the "State program on development of the railway system in Azerbaijan in 2010-2014" approved in early July.
This program involves improving the quality of cargo and passenger transportation and security, the application of scientific and technological advances and new technologies in transport infrastructure, defining and implementing a strategy to improve passenger services and increase their profitability and other goals.
Under the program, in 2010-2011 it is expected to undertake institutional reforms at the Azerbaijan Railway, prepare and adopt rules for the transport of cargo and passengers, use of railway vehicles, traffic safety, and develop a bill on railway transport.
The program stipulates repair at 317 kilometers of major railways to improve speed and security. Bridges and other infrastructures will be built and reconstructed and at several points.
It is expected acquisition of 50 new electric locomotives of DC, spare parts, modernization of 28 locomotives and establishment of a foundation for overhaul in the Bilajari docomotive depot as part of the modernization of rolling stock fleet.
Under the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products, it is planned to purchase 300 new tankers, buy cars for dry goods, purchase spare parts and reconstruct carriage depot in the Alat village and point to clean cars.
25 new coaches will be purchased and necessary repair work will be implemented, as well as established the base repair of cars in Baku car repair depot, for the passenger transportations.
To improve alarm systems and communication will be laid aYalama-Bilajari, Horadiz-Imishli-Baku-Astara Osmanli fiber line, and established a system of automatic control of cargo and passengers on the railway Azerbaijan.
The railroad in the direction of Baku - Boyuk Kesik will be transited on the system AC 27.5 kilovolts to improve the energy supply system.
The program also involves establishment of logistics, and providing with machines and mechanisms "Emergency and Rehabilitation Train".
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