DUSHANBE (Asia-Plus) — Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are planning to electrify a rail link between the Uzbek cities of Bekobod and Kokand and the Tajik city of Konibodom.

A source within Tajik Railways (Tajik national railway company) said Tajik and Uzbek state-run railway companies plan sign an agreement on constructing the power transmission line along the Bekobod-Konibodom-Kokand railway. The negotiations process is nearing completion and the agreement will be signed in the near future, the source noted. According to him, the preliminary work on implementation of this project began last year and

The electrification of locomotives is in the mutual benefit of both parties as transport costs are reduced, there is no emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere due to the burning of coal, and the frequency of rail traffic will be increased, which contributes to revenue gains, the source added.

Meanwhile, Sputnik Tajikistan, citing its source, says the parties have already signed a contract, under which Tashkent fully undertakes the construction of the power transmission line in the territory of the Sughd province.

More and more countries in Central Asia are focusing on railway electrification in order to integrate national and international networks and reduce time, in an epoch when environmental benefits are of the utmost importance, therefore supporting the development of a sustainable transport system. In addition, railway electrification brings a series of performance-oriented advantages: higher performance for rolling stock, reduction of operational and maintenance costs, increase lifecycle for railway components.