Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 8
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
Uzbekistan will draw a loan from the World Bank (WB) worth $60 million in early 2015 for the construction of the external power supply facilities of the Angren-Pap railway line in the Fergana Valley, Uzbekenergo State Joint Stock Company told Trend Nov. 7.
The project worth $62 million envisages the construction of infrastructure facilities, in particular, 110/220 kV high-voltage lines and traction substations for the 130 kilometer Angren-Pap railway line.
"The agreement on loan allocation has been reached," an Uzbekenergo representative said.
"Uzbekenergo specialists and WB experts are finalizing the project details. The first tenders were announced in November to purchase the equipment as part of this project, through the loans."
The loan is expected to be allocated through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, part of the WB).
Uzbekistan started construction of the Angren-Pap new electrified railway in July 2013. The railway line with a length of 129 km would run through the Kamchik pass and link the three oblasts in the east of the country - Andijan, Namangan and Fergana - with the remaining part of Uzbekistan.
The project worth $1.9 billion is financed through the state budget, Uzbek railway company's own funds and loans of the international financial institutes. The construction is planned to be completed in late 2017.
A 19-kilometer tunnel under the Kamchik pass is planned to be constructed as part of the project.
Uzbekistan Railways State Joint Stock Railway Company and China Railway Tunnel Group signed a contract for tunnel construction worth $455 million in 2013. China Eximbank delivered a loan for the tunnel construction worth $ 350 million in 2013.
The Kamchik pass is on the Kurama Range at 1,200 meters above a sea level.
Through the pass is the only automobile route between the Tashkent region and the Pap district of the Namangan region "Tashkent -Osh" (A -373). This strategically important road is periodically closed in winter because of the threat of avalanches.
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