Georgia is threatened that after the opening of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway communication major part of cargo delivered to the Black Sea ports in Pot and Batumi will be delivered through this corridor, the Azerbaijani Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov told Trend.
However, different types of cargo are delivered via this route. At present mainly oil and oil products are delivered to Poti and Batumi, whereas dry cargo will be transported via the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku. Georgia and Kazakhstan have signed a protocol, which will ensure the transportation via this corridor, Mammadov underlined.
Besides, the feasibility study of the project designed by the Turkish company, did not reflect the rehabilitation of the countrys railway route. The issue is at present under discussion of the working of the two countries in Tbilisi. The results of the discussions will be presented to the Transport Ministers who will assemble in Kazakhstan on 27 July.
The project on establishment of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway transport corridor includes the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway route with the length of 98km, including 68km running via the territory of Turkey, 30km Georgia. The definite reconstruction work should be done in the Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi section. The average budget of the project is $400m.