Kyrgyzstan prioritizes environmental protection in China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project

Kyrgyzstan is placing a strong emphasis on environmental protection as it undertakes the construction of the ambitious China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Azamat Sakiev, director general of the state enterprise Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, highlighted this commitment during a recent radio interview.

Sakiev described the railway project as technically demanding, citing Kyrgyzstan's mountainous geography. The route necessitates the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges, as railways require more direct paths than winding roads. He assured that the feasibility study was conducted by international specialists and expressed confidence in the project's progress, noting it is currently on schedule and even slightly ahead.

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Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country with many difficult sections, tunnels and bridges that will need to be built. Unlike winding mountain roads, railways must follow the most direct routes possible.

"We should not damage nature, so we have been avoiding protected areas," Sakiev stated. He emphasized the importance of preserving the environment, explaining that in some instances, engineers have had to cut through mountains to build tunnels. This focus on ecological preservation is crucial given the country's numerous protected natural areas.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is a significant regional infrastructure initiative. It will span approximately 480 kilometers, with over 304 kilometers traversing Kyrgyzstan. The construction officially commenced with a capsule-laying ceremony attended by President Sadyr Japarov in late December 2024.

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We should not damage nature, so we have been avoiding protected areas. In some cases, we have had to cut through mountains to build tunnels. Preserving the environment is extremely important.