BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 28. Trend provides a summary of the key developments in Kyrgyzstan's transport sector from July through September 2023.
On July 5, a container block train set off from China's Lanzhou station, covering the multimodal route China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan. Uzbekistan Railways had been told that a train transporting consumer products, consisting of 30 units of 40-foot containers, had left Lanzhou, China. The full trip was projected to take 16-18 days to complete because to its length of over 6,500 kilometers and weight of over 700 tons.
As part of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan multimodal corridor, a container train pilot launch from Kashgar, China, was launched in September 2022.
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The relevance of the Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche railway line in providing a cost-effective means of coal transportation was stressed by Roman Spasskiy, Chief Engineer of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu (Kyrgyz Railways). During the autumn-winter season, this infrastructure project planned to supply coal to the city of Bishkek and the northern areas. Previously, trucks were used to bring coal to the Balykchy station, resulting in cost increases, road damage, and environmental problems during loading and unloading. After completing 5 kilometers of railway in 2022, plans were in place to build an additional 15 kilometers in 2023, with the hope of positively benefiting the country's economic development.
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During conversations with Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to France, Sadik Sher-Niyaz, Jacques Garrigue, Vice President of Airbus for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, expressed Airbus' willingness to evaluate Kyrgyzstan's proposal for ATR-72 aircraft delivery. The aircraft, which could carry up to 90 passengers and was equipped with turbopropellers built for short-distance flights, had the ability to provide domestic air service within Kyrgyzstan.
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According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), significant work on the Obigarm-Nurobod road in Tajikistan is expected in 2023. This project aims to provide an alternative to the existing M41 highway, which connects Tajikistan's northeast region with Kyrgyzstan.
The road became necessary because to the expected flooding of the current route once the reservoir of the Rogun Hydropower Plant, which is now under construction, reaches operational levels.
According to their evaluation of transport infrastructure vulnerabilities in Central Asia, the EBRD's engagement in the construction is linked with climate change resilience plans. Despite obstacles in 2022 as a result of COVID-19 delays affecting labor and equipment supply, engagement with Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport ensured that climate-resilient proposals were incorporated into the project.
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It was announced that Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, was set to receive 16 buses from Türkiye in March 2024, aimed at combating air pollution. The acquisition, funded by the German Development Bank (KFW), involved buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), equipped with air conditioning, ramps, and a capacity of 85 passengers.
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Kyrgyzstan also received a fleet of 25 buses from the Chinese manufacturer «Zhong Tong Bus."Plans were underway to deliver new, environmentally friendly buses to address transportation concerns in the country. A previous batch of 120 buses with effective gas engines had performed well during road tests, prompting the decision to purchase additional buses of the same type.
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Additionally, an agreement of cooperation had been signed between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan and the South Korean EVSIS company for the production of electric charging stations. EVSIS, a subsidiary of Lotte Data Communication, specializes in producing and maintaining charging stations for electric vehicles.
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The Manas International Airport OJSC in Kyrgyzstan purchased its first aircraft with its own cash. The airport had signed an agreement with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) to purchase Dash-8-400 aircraft. Changes were to be made in order to comply with Kyrgyzstan's aviation rules, with the goal of extending domestic route networks and boosting aviation services for the country's people by May 2024.
According to the Kyrgyz State Statistical Committee, the volume of commodities moved by all modes of transport in the country totaled 35.477 million tons from January to September of this year, up 4.1 million tons or 13.2 percent over the same time in 2022.
Passenger transportation reached 401.352 million people, which is an increase of 36.3 million individuals or 9.9 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.