OREANDA-NEWS. December 28, 2010. “Throughout the year we have been doing much and by the end of the year we are eventually at the border on Turkmenistan (Bolashak station)”, said KTZ (national railways operator) President Askar Mamain when reporting the project results to the Prime Minister Karim Massimov.

“Next October we are to launch the first train across Turkmenistan and further on to Iran”, A. Mamin said.

According to him, annual freight flow is estimated at 8-10 million tons.

“Grain traders have shown their interest. We are relying on freights coming from Siberia and Ural; Gulf countries are also interested in sending transit freights across our territory”, A. Mamin added.

In his turn, Magystau governor K. Kurishbayev emphasized that “construction of the railway link is of paramount importance to the entire economy of this region…Besides, the project will have a substantial positive social impact…”.

The project is estimated KZT 65 billion, with KZT 28 billion being already accommodated.

This railway link is part of the international project “Uzen – Kyzylkaya – Bereket – Etrek – Gorgan” jointly implemented by Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan.

The main line overall length makes up 686 km, with 146 km running across Kazakhstan.