Turkmen Railways, Russian Railways discuss single logistics operator

ASHGABAT. Jan 31 (Interfax) - The Turkmen Railways (Turkmendemiryollary) agency and Russian Railways have held talks on the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor's eastern route and implementing key infrastructure projects in Turkmenistan, the Turkmenistan International Broadcasting center reports.

They discussed modernizing the Gyzylarbat wagon repair plant, establishing a single logistics operator and opening a Russian Railways representative office in Turkmenistan to strengthen transport relations between Turkmenistan and Russia.

Plans for a new electric express train line connecting Ashgabat and Arkadag within 18 minutes were discussed.

Following the meeting, a supplement to the memorandum between JSC Russian Railways Logistics and JSC Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan was signed, as were documents between LLC Russian Railways International and JSC Dmirellary (Railways), JSC Russian Railways Logistics and JSC Transport and Logistics Center to launch the wagon repair project in Gyzylarbat.

Celebrations marking the opening of the first stage of the new city of Arkadag were held in late June 2023. The city's first stage, which was built 30 kilometers from the capital of Turkmenistan, involved constructing 336 socio-cultural and other infrastructure facilities. The construction of the first stage of Arkadag, which was given the status of a city of state significance, cost more than $3.3 billion. The second stage of construction, to be built by 2026, which will cost $1.5-$2 billion.

Arkadag is being built 30 kilometers southwest of the country's capital. It will be home to around 70,000 people.

The North-South International Transport Corridor will transport goods between North-West Europe and the Caspian Basin, Persian Gulf, Central, South and Southeast Asia using Russian transport infrastructure. The eastern branch of the corridor is a direct rail connection through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with access to the Iranian railway network through the border crossings Sarahs (Turkmenistan) - Sarakhs (Iran) and Akayla (Turkmenistan) - Inche Burun (Iran).