Kyrgyzstan: Chinese-Uzbek Rail Link to Proceed Despite Rising Costs

A proposed railroad that would link China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is likely to cost in excess of $2 billion, Kyrgyz officials are now projecting.

Preliminary estimates in 2007 pegged the cost of construction at $1.35 billion. Despite the drastic rise in the estimated cost, First Deputy Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov says the project should move forward. "It'll be much harder on us if our descendants reproach us for failing to see the obvious benefits of it. On that basis, we should make every effort to use all our capabilities to accelerate this vital project," he said during a meeting of government and rail representatives in Bishkek on March 31.

Kyrgyz transport officials say the Chinese-Kyrgyz-Uzbek railway could carry up to 4.5 million tons of freight cargo in its first year of operation and more 15 million tons after a decade. The idea of linking north-western China with the Uzbekistan's portion of the Ferghana Valley was first mooted in 1996. The proposed route would start in the Chinese city Kashgar, enter Kyrgyzstan at the Torugart Pass, follow a route to Kara-Suu near Osh, then enter Uzbekistan and terminate at Andijan.