BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 29. Kazakhstan
plans to launch operational rail traffic on the Darbaza-Maktaaral
railway line to the border with Uzbekistan by the end of 2026, the
Kazakh Ministry of Transport said.
According to the ministry, construction of the Darbaza-Maktaaral
railway line to the Uzbek border has entered its final stage, with
the main efforts currently focused on completing earthworks, laying
railway tracks and constructing artificial structures.
"To date, 12.9 million cubic meters of earthworks have been
completed, or 98% of the total planned volume of 13.2 million cubic
meters. A total of 142 kilometers of track structure have been
assembled at track assembly bases, of which 105.6 kilometers have
already been laid along the section. This accounts for 61% of the
planned volume," the ministry said.
Construction of artificial structures is also progressing at a
high pace. A total of 124 out of 129 culverts, or 96%, have been
installed. Construction of 29 bridges has been completed, while
work is continuing at four more sites. A total of 977 units of
equipment and 1,815 workers are involved in the construction.
In October, the project is expected to complete the embankment
of the railway subgrade and the laying of track structures on the
main tracks, as well as carry out the joining of the railway
track.
The Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line, with a length of 127.6
kilometers of main tracks, is one of the key infrastructure
projects in southern Kazakhstan. The project is being implemented
on the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The project will create an additional international railway
route with Uzbekistan, reduce the load on the congested
Saryagash-Tashkent section, increase the capacity of Kazakhstan’s
railway network and expand transit opportunities toward Central
Asian countries.
Construction of the railway line began in November 2023.
