Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Khailova / The Azerbaijani Transport Ministry has coordinated with the Korean consultants recommendations within the framework of the project on establishment of an express train to the Georgian border. The recommendations made by consultants are based on the study of the state of railway along this route. "These experts are attracted to the aegis of the South Korean Transport Ministry and the Korean Transport Institute, which has close cooperation with the Azerbaijani Ministry.
The Baku-Boyuk-Kasik ( Azerbaijan) - Georgian border railway is currently allowing passage for trains traveling 30km per hour, but only some sections of the railway allow for speeds up to160km per hour. Azerbaijani transport workers proposed to bring the railway's speed up to 80km per hour at the first stage, and only then, gradually reaching up to 160 km per hour. At the same time, it is planned to take simultaneously measures to avoid double expenditures, construction of the ground infrastructure along the railway, which can then allow accelerating the speed of trains.
Simultaneously with the Koreans, the Azerbaijani party is currently conducting researches and studies in this direction with a consultant of JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) - Itochu Corporation. It is engaged in preparing a feasibility study of the mentioned project worth $250,000-$280,000.
The installation of the high-speed train is planned for within the project on improving the railway infrastructure from Baku Railway Station to Boyuk-Kasik (Georgian Border). Many sections of the Azerbaijani railway need reparation and reconstruction, therefore funds may need to be borrowed from different sources. Speed increase along the railway is required in both the northern and southern direction, as well as for suburban electric trains, in the direction of Sumgayit. These measures are part the improvement of the State Program on Railway Infrastructure Improvement in 2007-2010.