en.Wedoany.com Reported - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has announced the launch of construction work on a new railway line connecting Balykchy, Tamchy, and Cholpon-Ata. This line will extend the country's railway network to the Issyk-Kul Lake region, an important economic and tourist area in eastern Kyrgyzstan bordering Kazakhstan and China.
Located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, the new railway is designed for both freight and passenger transport, serving as a key component in the modernization of the national logistics system. The construction of this line is part of a broader transport infrastructure strategy aimed at improving domestic connectivity and strengthening Kyrgyzstan's position in Central Asia. In 2025, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Kyrgyz Temir Zholu signed a technical assistance agreement worth $275,000 to fund a feasibility study for the new line. The EDB estimates the total cost of the project at approximately $500 million.
The project involves constructing an 86-kilometer railway line connecting the city of Balykchy (the gateway to Issyk-Kul) with the towns of Tamchy and Cholpon-Ata on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. A key element includes a direct connection to Issyk-Kul International Airport, aiming to create a modern multimodal transport hub integrating air, rail, and road transport. This initiative seeks to transform the region into a major cargo and passenger distribution center, reducing reliance on road transport and streamlining logistics, while also facilitating tourist access to the country's most popular natural attraction and supporting the development of the hospitality industry and related services. Once fully operational, the new line is expected to have an annual freight capacity of up to 5 million tons, primarily transporting construction materials, industrial products, and goods for local and regional markets.
The construction phase will create over 400 jobs, and upon completion, the project will provide more than 200 permanent positions, contributing to the economic stability of the Issyk-Kul region. The project also aims to develop railway connectivity in the Issyk-Kul area, linking the tourist resort zone with the railway networks of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, thereby enhancing regional mobility. Furthermore, this infrastructure will support the development of the region's mineral resources and create conditions for the development of modern logistics corridors.
The Balykchy-Tamchy-Cholpon-Ata railway line is part of a broader plan by Kyrgyzstan to develop its railway infrastructure, which also includes the modernization and expansion of domestic and international strategic connections. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway corridor is one of the most significant projects. This corridor will provide a direct link between the three countries and play a major role in Eurasian rail transport. In 2024, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and China signed an intergovernmental agreement to implement the project. In April 2025, Kyrgyzstan began construction of the first three tunnels along the route.
The route starts in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, crosses the Torugart Pass in Kyrgyzstan, passes through Jalal-Abad, and ends in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan. The corridor is approximately 523 kilometers long, with over 200 kilometers located in Kyrgyzstan. In terms of engineering, the Kyrgyz section will include over 50 tunnels and 90 bridges, requiring construction in rugged, high-altitude mountainous conditions prone to earthquakes. The estimated investment for the project is around $4.7 billion. A consortium comprising the China Development Bank and Exim Bank China has provided a $2.3 billion loan with a 35-year term, with the remaining funds provided by the three partner countries. China contributes 51% of the joint venture capital, while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan each contribute 24.5%.
This corridor will open an alternative railway route between China and Europe, potentially reducing freight transport distance by approximately 900 kilometers and delivery times by up to seven days. The corridor will bypass the Trans-Siberian Railway through Russia, increasing annual freight volume to 15 million tons. The new infrastructure will promote the development of logistics centers, multimodal terminals, and freight stations, attract investment in industry and services, and improve connectivity between the country's regions and Central Asian markets. This corridor complements other strategic investments, such as the new railway line around Lake Issyk-Kul, collectively driving the modernization of Kyrgyzstan's railway network and its integration into major Eurasian trade corridors.
