Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has revealed that he personally discussed the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project with Vladimir Putin and obtained Russia's consent for its implementation before construction began. According to the Kyrgyz leader, without this decision, the Chinese side was not ready to start the project.
In an interview with journalist Ali Toktakunov, Japarov said that after coming to power in 2020, he discussed the project with the then-Chinese ambassador. The diplomat allegedly warned that Beijing could not begin construction without Moscow's approval, as the project involves laying about 100 kilometers of railway from China to Torugart.
Following this, Japarov requested a meeting with Putin and flew to Russia. He claims they spent approximately 35-40 minutes discussing exclusively the railway construction issue, after which the Russian president gave his consent to the project's implementation.
Japarov called the railway a project of historical magnitude, stating it should lift Kyrgyzstan out of international transport isolation. He estimates that once operational, cargo transit through the country could generate $400-500 million in net annual income for the Kyrgyz budget.
The president also asserted that the railway would transform Kyrgyzstan's domestic economy. Goods between the north and south of the country could be transported by rail instead of road routes through mountain passes, which he believes would reduce transport costs and simplify doing business.
The main international line is planned for completion by 2031-2032. Japarov noted that by then, Kyrgyzstan would like to connect its own railway network to it. He said completing the domestic branch to Makmal would require about $1 billion. With investment, construction could be finished around 2032-2035. If financing cannot be attracted, work will continue using the country's own funds.
Japarov also reported that Kyrgyzstan has already built about 65 kilometers of new railway. Specifically, 62 kilometers were reportedly built in about four years, with the cost per kilometer on flat sections around $955,000.
Notably, during the interview, Japarov also announced he would run for a second term in the January 27, 2027 elections. Previously, he had planned not to participate and to support Kamchybek Tashiev, but later changed his mind, saying Tashiev was not ready to lead the country.
Source: podrobno.uz