Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to expand its freight railcar fleet amid rising demand from manufacturers and trade participants, as well as the deterioration of existing rolling stock, Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov said in an interview with O’zbekiston 24 television.
According to Makhkamov, expanding the freight railcar fleet is being considered one of the key areas for further development of the railway sector. The additional need for rolling stock is linked not only to current growth in freight transportation but also to the expected increase in cargo flows following the launch of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
In this regard, the Transport Ministry has been instructed to work on major infrastructure projects needed to develop rail freight transportation.
Another set of tasks concerns expanding Uzbekistan’s international transport capabilities. Makhkamov said that following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visits to Georgia and Azerbaijan, instructions were issued on using the infrastructure of the Caspian Sea, purchasing ferries and involving Uzbekistan in the construction of railway infrastructure in Azerbaijan.
Separate working groups have been established for each of these areas. The Transport Ministry presented information on the work completed, results achieved and plans through the end of the year, after which it received further instructions.
The meeting also addressed the development of public transport in the regions. According to the Transport Ministry head, following the transition to a gross-contract system, the president instructed officials to continue improving the sector, including renewing the bus fleet and further developing public transport.
In addition, the Transport Ministry presented a report on measures to improve the freight transportation system in Uzbekistan. Further tasks in this area were identified following the discussion.
