OREANDA-NEWS. July 01, 2011. The good news came from Balkan Velayat, where the transnational North-South transport corridor is constructed. Turkmen railway constructors complete laying rails along the northern section from Bereket up to the border with Kazakhstan. Thus, the new 444-km main line has been laid along the planned route. This remarkable event is a result of the intensive work of the specialists of the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan within the framework of implementation of grandiose tasks set by the President of Turkmenistan in order to transforming our country into an important intersection of transnational transit and transport corridors of the Eurasian continent.

The laid road is actively used by builders along the whole length – maintenance and building rolling stocks are regularly run along the road. The rail way workers have to complete development of the new line, where twenty new railway stations and other relevant facilities are built. Two railway stations with all necessary infrastructures constructed in Bereket and frontier Serhetyaka will become important international transport units.

Thus, an important step towards implementation of the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan on construction of the railway that is the basis of the transnational North-South transport corridor and international agreements in this sphere has taken. As is known, the initiative on construction of the new transport corridor, which is aimed to shorten the railway track from European countries to the ports of the Persian Gulf up to 600 kilometers, was supported by the partners of our country. As this steel main line will promote reducing transport and other expenses and will offer a powerful incentive to increase a turnover and economy not only in the region countries but the whole Eurasian continent as well. The railway route via Turkmenistan will be more profitable and efficient as compare to other alternative ways – water and air ones.

At the same time foreign contractors continue developing the southern section of the main line. The route of this section of the North-South corridor runs along the western foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains close to rich oil and gas deposits, on the land of ancient Dehistan, which will be offered with a powerful incentive to revival and development. This section of the steel line, which will connect the city of Bereket and etrap center Etrek on the border of Turkmenistan and Iran, will stretch up to 256 kilometers.

The importance of this transport corridor for accelerated development of the whole Balkan Velayat and implementation of its grandiose natural potential can scarcely be overestimated. The new railway will bring new life to local settlements and villages and its significance will considerably increase due to construction of the Avaza National tourism zone and rapid progress of the economy in the region and the country as well.

Investing huge funds into establishment of a modern infrastructure, Turkmenistan creates a solid foundation for further development of the national economy and increase the attractiveness of our country for foreign investments. As it will simplify delivery of goods and products to our partners as well as promote to creation of new enterprises, jobs and modern infrastructure. In this regard each stage of construction of the Turkmen northern section of the new steel main line is another step towards implementation of global and constructive initiatives to ensure development of the whole region.

Thus, the international route North-South will unite the transport systems of steel main lines of Europe and Asia that will promote efficiently the further increase in turnover on the Eurasian continent and increase considerably the authority of our state in making countries and regions closer to each other and strengthening friendship and cooperation of many world countries.