KTZ, RZD to sign agreements on development of Eastern Route of North-South corridorThe Kazakh and Russian railways plan to sign agreements on the development of interstate junction points (IJPs) until 2030 and on the development of the eastern route of the international North-South transport corridor by the end of this year, the press service of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) reported.The preparation of these documents was discussed in Vladivostok during the XVI meeting of the joint working group on strategic cooperation between KTZ and Russian Railways (RZD).According to the press service, the parties approved an action plan to improve the efficiency of IJPs for 2026-2030, which includes joint steps and timelines for their modernization, taking into account the growing freight traffic.According to KTZ, the volume of freight transportation between Kazakhstan and Russia reached 58.3 million tonnes from January to August 2025, which is 3.2% (1.8 million tonnes) higher than the same period last year. Export freight flow from Kazakhstan to/through Russia amounted to 35.3 million tonnes (+6.8%). Coal exports increased by 36.4% to 8 million tonnes, while grain exports increased 5.3-fold to 1.5 million tonnes.A protocol was signed following the meeting. The next meeting of the working group will be held in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2026.The eastern route of the international "North-South" transport corridor connects Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, with access to the ports of the Persian Gulf and further to India. In July 2024, the parties signed a roadmap for the synchronous development of the eastern route for 2024-2025.The route's current capacity is about 6 million tonnes per year. It is expected to increase to 10 million tonnes by 2027 and to 20 million tonnes by 2030.To achieve this, plans include modernizing railway lines, constructing second tracks, implementing automatic blocking systems, and developing interstate junction points.The total investment is estimated at $1.9 billion. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX