Mirziyoyev reviews new railway line in Khiva
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a new railway line connecting Urgench International Airport with Khiva railway station. The 225 billion soum project is designed to improve transport links between the airport and the region’s tourism center, according to the press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The project includes an 11-km railway line, one station, a bridge, crossings over roads and 25 culverts.
The new route will allow about 650,000 domestic and foreign tourists to travel by rail each year. Travel time between Urgench and Khiva will be cut by half, from 80 minutes to 40 minutes. The project also created about 30 new jobs.
The line is Uzbekistan’s first project to provide a direct connection between an airport and the railway network. A Chinese-made CR200J electric train has been launched on the Urgench International Airport–Khiva route.
The six-car train can accommodate about 400 passengers and reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. It offers VIP, business and economy-class seating, free Wi-Fi, device charging, air conditioning and heating. Facilities have also been provided for passengers with disabilities.
Mirziyoyev travelled to Khiva on the new electric train.
In Khiva, the president also reviewed new trolleybuses that will operate on the route between Urgench International Airport and Khiva railway station.
Ten trolleybuses were delivered from China in July. They are equipped with autonomous operating systems and can travel up to 100 km without being connected to the electricity grid.
Each trolleybus can carry 87 passengers. The vehicles include facilities for passengers with disabilities, elderly people and passengers with children, as well as USB and Type-C charging ports. They are also equipped with external and internal video surveillance cameras.
The trolleybuses also feature driver condition monitoring systems, lane departure warning systems and automatic fire suppression systems.
The initiative to purchase the vehicles was proposed by Mirziyoyev during his visit to Khorezm region last year.
Mirziyoyev said integrating different modes of transport would make travel more convenient for residents and tourists, reduce journey times and increase the region’s tourism appeal. Officials responsible for the project were instructed to ensure safe and high-quality passenger services.
