The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to provide an $80m loan towards the electrification of 145km of railway in Uzbekistan that connects Pap, Namangan and Andijan cities.
The electrified track will form a part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 2.
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ADB Uzbekistan country director Takeo Konishi said: “Ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of railway networks is an important component of growth and development for a landlocked country like Uzbekistan.
“Improving transport in Uzbekistan will strengthen the country’s strategic location as a trade and transport hub in Central Asia.”
The $177.45m electrification project will streamline freight and passenger train services on the line, which links major cities in the Fergana Valley with Tashkent.
It is also expected to increase regional trade along CAREC’s Corridor 2 and improve the overall environmental and safety performance of the railway. The project is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 10,000t every year once completed.
Public railway company O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari (UTY) and Government of Uzbekistan are expected to contribute the remaining $97.45m required for the project.
ADB’s funding will be utilised to finance supervision consultants, as well as to procure plant, maintenance equipment and machinery and to purchase materials for external power supply.
The current electrification project is a part of an ongoing initiative by UTY and the Government of Uzbekistan to modernise railway networks throughout the country.
The electrification of a 140km railway track between the cities of Samarkand and Karshi in the southern part of Uzbekistan was also completed recently.
Image: The electrified track is part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridor 2. Photo: courtesy of Asian Development Bank.
